by Saman Indrajith

Local Government Elections (Amendment) bill was passed in Parliament yesterday with 120 voting for it none against and 44 abstaining.

MPs of the Joint Opposition abstained from voting while the JVP and TNA MPs voted with the government. Sixty MPs were not present in the chamber at the time of vote.

Before the final vote was taken for the bill, a vote was taken on an amendment presented by MEP leader Dinesh Gunawardena seeking permission for government officers to contest elections. In that vote, Minister W. D. J. Seneviratne abstained from voting while his erstwhile colleagues in the Joint Opposition voted for the amendment. The government voted against it.

Continue reading ‘Parliament Passes Local Govt Elections Amendment Bill with 144 Votes for and None Against:44 MP’s Abstain from Voting.’ »

Former Navy Commander Admiral Wasantha Karannagoda has sent a Letter of Demand to Navy Commander Travis Sinniah demanding Rs.500 million over a statement made to the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) by the latter, the letter of demand stated.

The Letter of Demand sent by Attorney Wasantha Wijewardane on behalf of Admiral Karannagoda stated that,

Continue reading ‘Letters of Demand for Rs 500 Million Each sent by Ex-Navy Chief Wasantha Karannagoda and Retd Rear Admiral Udaya Keerthi Bandara to Navy Commander Travis Sinniah.’ »

By Shamindra Ferdinando

The ongoing high profile case involving a group of navy officers in the alleged abduction and disappearance of eleven persons in 2008 has taken a dramatic turn with wartime Navy Chief the then Vice Admiral Wasantha Karannagoda initiating legal proceedings against Navy Commander Vice Admiral Travis Sinniah in respect of a recent statement made by the latter to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID).

In addition to Admiral Karannagoda, retired Rear Admiral U. K.V. Bandara has taken similar action.

Rear Admiral Sinniah succeeded VA Ravi Wijegunaratne several days ago. On being appointed as the Commander of the Navy, Sinniah, who played a significant role in Sri Lanka’s successful war against terrorism, received appointment as Vice Admiral.

The CID has recorded the then Eastern Commander Rear Admiral Sinniah’s statement last month regarding the alleged abductions and disappearances blamed on the navy.

Continue reading ‘Former Navy Chief Wasantha Karannagoda Initiates Legal Action Against Current Navy Commander Travis Sinniah for Alleged Defamation.’ »

Sri Lanka’s new navy chief Travis Sinniah began work by pledging no forgiveness for his officers who may have committed crimes taking the cover of the island’s drawn out separatist war.

The Vice Admiral told reporters at his first press conference at navy headquarters on Wednesday that “even the biggest war hero” could not escape the full face of the law if a crime had been committed during or after the war.

“Even if you are a hero, it does not give you the sanction to do acts that are crimes…If you have done something wrong, there is no forgiveness for that act.

“What ever you have done during the war, if you are the biggest hero, wearing this uniform does not give you the sanction to murder, or commit torture,” he said.

However, he said he was more concerned about taking the navy forward rather than addressing issues of the past.

Continue reading ‘New Navy Chief Travis Sinniah More Concerned About taking Navy Forward Rather Than Addressing Past Issues.’ »

Sri Lanka has presented regulations in parliament to create a database of data about citizens which can be accessed by the defence secretary and other officials without a court order, which critics warn is taking the country speedily towards a surveillance state.

On Wednesday regulations which will eventually make it possible for authorities to create an electronic ID a data base of personal and family information including biometric data, was presented to parliament.

The e-NIC project was initiated by the ousted Rajapaksa administration.

The law to make E-NIC possible was passed earlier by the so-called ‘Good Governance’ administration which came to power promising to increase freedoms of citizens.

Continue reading ‘Setting up an Accessible Information Data Base About Citizens Without Adequate Safeguards to Protect Privacy Will Turn Sri Lanka Into a “Surveillance” State.’ »

By Saman Indrajith

A no-confidence motion signed by 39 MPs of the Joint Opposition against Health Minister Dr Rajitha Senaratne has been handed over to the Speaker’s Office yesterday.

The motion sought to oust Minister Senaratne on 11 charges, JO MP Ranjith Zoysa told The Island.

He said they would request Speaker Karu Jayasuriya to include the motion in the Order Book of Parliament and take it up for debate as soon as possible.

Continue reading ‘No Confidence Motion With 11 Charges Against Health Minister Rajitha Senaratne Signed By 39 Joint Opposition MP’s Submitted to Speaker’s Office.’ »

By
N Ananthanarayanan

After slamming “too many cooks” for spoiling Sri Lankan cricket team in the wake of Indian cricket team’s crushing win in the first ODI on Sunday, interim head coach Nic Pothas was forced to issue statement saying all is fine with the process in place

Sri Lankan cricket, in crisis with the national team plunging from one low on the field to another in the ongoing India tour, scrambled on Wednesday to limit the public relations disaster that followed defeat against Virat Kohli’s side in the first One-day International at Dambulla at the weekend.

Sri Lankan cricket team’s interim coach, Nic Pothas had blasted the current set up following the nine-wicket defeat at Dambulla saying “too many cooks” were responsible for the current plight of the national team, which was also routed 3-0 in the Test series.

Continue reading ‘Sri Lanka Cricket Officials Try to Do “Damage Control” After Defeat by Forcing Coach Nic Pothas to Make Statement at Press Conference.’ »

By Maheesha Mudugamuwa

The Immigration and Emigration Department had confirmed that Galle District MP Geetha Kumarasinghe is the only MP holding dual citizenship, People’s Action for Free and Fair Elections (PAFFREL) said yesterday.

The department, on a request made by PAFFREL under the Right to Information (RIT) Act, has revealed that MP Kumarasinghe was granted No 17096 A dual citizenship certificate. The balance 224 MPs had not been granted such dual citizenship certificates, PAFFREL, Executive Director Rohana Hettiarachchi told The Island.

Continue reading ‘Galle District MP Geetha Kumarasinghe is the only Lankan Parliamentarian to Hold Dual Citizenship.’ »

By

Zacky Jabbar

Justice and Buddha Sasana Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe having accepted President Maithripala Sirisena’s decision to remove him from his portfolios, said yesterday that he would work to unravel the true story behind the Central Bank Treasury Bond issues of 2015 and 2016.

” I will reveal the details while continuing to be a member of the UNP” he said.

Continue reading ‘“I Will Reveal the True Story Behind the Treasury Bond Issues of 2015 and 2016” States Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe’ »

Ceding to expectations, President Maithripala Sirisena yesterday sacked embattled Justice Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe for breaching the collective responsibility of Cabinet and criticising the Government’s deal with a State-run Chinese company to revive the debt-ridden Hambantota Port.

Rajapakshe was criticised by his party for questioning the Cabinet decision to lease the port of Hambantota to China. He said it was akin to selling national assets. After he failed to deliver an apology on a deadline given by the United National Party (UNP), the President was asked to remove Rajapakshe by the UNP on Monday.

Despite days of speculation and pressure to recant his statements, Rajapakshe remained defiant till the end and was removed by President Sirisena on Tuesday. However, he remains a member of the UNP.

“Historically all the previous justice ministers of our country are normally accused of influencing the Attorney General’s Department and the Judiciary. I am accused of not pressuring the Attorney General’s Department and the Judiciary. Our Constitution has been violated by our Cabinet. Our constitution states that in the event of an agreement such as the Hambantota deal, it has to be presented to Parliament and approved by a two-thirds majority. So the agreement to transfer the port is just a piece of paper, it does not have any legal powers,” he told reporters.

Continue reading ‘”I am the Only Justice Minister Accused of NOT Pressuring and Influencing the Judiciary and Attorney-Generals Dept” Points out Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe’ »

By

Lahiru Pothmulla

Former Justice and Buddha Sasana Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe said today he didn’t resign from any portfolio but was removed in an attempt to sweep the bond scam under the carpet.

He told the media outside the Justice Ministry that baseless charges had been made against him saying he had struck deals with former government members to delay court cases filed against them.

“This is an attempt to sweep the bond scam under the carpet by sacrificing me. In Sri Lanka’s history, this is the first time a minister was accused of not influencing the judiciary and the Attorney General’s Department whereas former justice ministers had been accused of influencing the judiciary,” he said.

Mr. Rajapakshe said the AG had been summoned to Temple Trees last Tuesday and the UNP backbench MPs had criticized and ridiculed him.

Continue reading ‘Defiant Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe Says he was Sacked Due to Unconstitutional Hambantota Port Deal and Central Bank Bond Scam’ »

After much hesitation and thought, Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena on Wednesday relieved controversial Justice and Buddha Sasana Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe of his portfolios.

This was done at the request of the Working Committee of the United National Party (UNP) to which Rajapakshe belongs.

However, according to well-placed political sources, Wijeyadasa’s sacking is not an isolated step but part of a compromise.

Continue reading ‘Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe Removed as Minister in a “Compromise” Enabling Him to Rejoin Cabinet Later With Different Portfolio.’ »

By Chathuri Dissanayake

Cases filed against bigwigs of the previous regime may be refiled under fresh charges with the appointment of the new Justice Minister, Cabinet Co-spokesperson Rajitha Senaratne said yesterday.

Pointing out shortcomings in some of the cases that have already been filed, Senaratne said that some of the cases may be refiled under different laws.

“There is a problem such as this. The Avant Garde case is likely to be filed again under a weapons ordinance, which is currently under the Money Laundering Act because that can be given bail. Once the new Justice Minister is appointed we can hold a proper inquiry. We will be able to find out who influenced the case when we have the inquiry,” he said.

“Any case can be revisited. So we will push for this.”

Continue reading ‘Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe Can Make a Comeback to Govt Like Tilak Marapana After Being “Rehabilitated” says Rajitha Senaratne’ »

By Saman Indrajith

UNP Colombo District MP Mujibur Rahuman told a group of journalists at the lobby of parliamentary committee room that UNP Colombo District MP Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe who was relieved of his cabinet portfolios will be sacked from the party as well and lose his MP post too.

He said that vacancy caused by Rajapakshe will be filled by Ms.Rosy Senanayake.

Continue reading ‘“Rosy Senanayake Will Succeed Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe as Colombo District MP After the UNP Sacks him from Party” says Mujibur Rahman MP’ »

By

Zahrah Imtiaz

President Maithripala Sirisena has sacked Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe from his Justice and Buddhasasana portfolios.

This was done in agreement to a letter sent to him by Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe on Tuesday, asking that Rajapakshe be relieved of his position, the Presidential Media Unit stated.

Wijeyadasa over the past few months has been surrounded by many a controversy created through his own personal remarks over various decisions of the government.

The Minister has not only criticised the government over the seeking of technical assistance from foreign judges in relation to war crime probes but also criticized the recent Hambantota Port agreement signed by the government.

The Justice Minister also embarrassed the government by his outburst towards the UN Special Rapporteur Ben Emmerson.

Continue reading ‘Cabinet Collective Responsibilty: UNP Takes Action Against Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe But No Action Against Susil Premajayantha So far’ »

Former Justice and Buddhasasana Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe, upon being relieved of his ministerial position today, said there was ‘no greater shame’ than continuing in a Cabinet bent on selling national assets.

President Maithripala Sirisena this afternoon, yielding to pressure from the United National Party (UNP) to remove the Justice Minister, informed Rajapakshe of his removal as Justice and Buddhasasana Minister.

Continue reading ‘‘No Bigger Shame Than Continuing In Cabinet Bent On Selling National Assets’: Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe On Removal’ »

Sri Lanka President Maithripala Sirisena Wednesday sacked controversial Justice minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe for criticising a billion-dollar deal to lease the loss-making deep sea port to China.

Government spokesman Gayantha Karunathilaka said the Justice minister had violated collective cabinet responsibility and their United Nation Party (UNP) recommended his sacking to the President on Tuesday.

Rajapaskhe had told the local media that the $1.1 billion deal with China Merchants Port Holdings was a sell out and he would work to take it back at a future date.

He had also made a scathing attack on chief government spokesman and Health Minister Rajitha Senaratne on Saturday accusing him of interfering in the affairs of the justice ministry and ignoring work at his own ministry.

“Minister Rajapakshe was told to issue a retraction of his comments, but he refused and instead challenged the Prime Minister (Ranil Wickremesinghe) to sack him,” a government source said.

Continue reading ‘President Sirisena Has Sacked Justice and Buddha Sasana Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe Announces Govt Spokesman Gayantha Karunathilaka.’ »

The Sri Lankan Prime Minister, Ranil Wickremesinghe, met President Maithripala Sirisena late on Monday, and advised him to expel Justice Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe from the cabinet for indulging in anti-government and anti-party activities.

Earlier, the Working Committee of Wickremesinghe’ party ,the United National Party (UNP), decided to sack Rajapakshe after the deadline set by it for him to resign, expired on Monday, and he had not quit.

The Prime Minister’s communicating his party’s decision to the President in effect means that he has advised the President to sack Rajapakshe.

The norm is that the President should go by the advise of the Prime Minister, especially when the matter has to do with a member of the Prime Minister’s party.

However, the Sinhala-Buddhist-Nationalist elements in President Sirisena’s Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) want the like-minded Rajapakshe to join them. If indeed he does, he could be an SLFP appointee in the cabinet. The call to join had been given by SLFP minister Dilan Perera.

Continue reading ‘Prime Minister “Advises”President to Expel Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe from Govt But Some in SLFP Want To Retain Him in Cabinet as their Party Minister.’ »

By

Sanja de Silva Jayatilleka

The new Foreign Minister has assured us, according to the Daily News, that Resolution 30/1 which was co-sponsored by the Unity Government of Sri Lanka “was in no way harmful to the country…” The Island of 19th August 2017 reports that the new Minister had said that he had “examined” this resolution as a member of the cabinet, and that it “was certainly not inimical to Sri Lanka’s interests…” Since he was also the former Attorney General, he must know what he is talking about.

In this context, one would expect that he would have no concerns in facing either the written update at the 37th (March 2018) session of the UNHRC by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Zaid al Hussein, as per the Human Rights Council Resolution 34/L.1, in which it “Requests the Office of the High Commissioner to assess progress on the implementation of its recommendations and other relevant processes related to reconciliation, accountability and human rights in Sri Lanka…”, nor the written report to be followed by a discussion on the implementation of 30/1 at the 40th session.

Before the new Foreign Minister examines the High Commissioner’s oral update however, one hopes he resolves certain contradictions between his statement after taking over as Foreign Minister that the Sri Lankan Constitution does not permit foreign judges and the provisions actually contained in the resolution that he describes as “harmless”.

Before going any further, it must be pointed out that the “harmless” Resolution 30/1 was not co-sponsored by a single Asian country (other than Sri Lanka). Not even India. Since no vote was taken due to the new practice of co-sponsoring all resolutions on Sri Lanka by the Unity Government, this is the only indication one can glean of the actual support of the Council. The 12 co-sponsors however paint a picture: only 7 voting members of the Human Rights Council (Albania, Germany, Latvia, Montenegro, Macedonia, UK, and USA), while the other 5 were only observers (Australia, Greece, Poland, Romania, and of course Sri Lanka).

Continue reading ‘Will Sri Lanka’s “Diplomacy” at UNHRC Take a Hopeful Fresh Turn Under the new Foreign Minister?’ »

By Rathindra Kuruwita

‘In some countries, the Executive is chosen directly by the people and is not dependent on the legislature during the period of its existence, for a specified number of years. Such an Executive is a strong Executive, seated in power for a fixed number of years, not subject to the whims and fancies of an elected legislature; not afraid to take correct, but unpopular decisions because of censure from its parliamentary party. This seems to me a very necessary requirement in a developing country faced with grave problems such as we are faced with today.’
(J.R. Jayewardene, address to the Twenty Second Annual Sessions of the Ceylon Association for the Advancement of Science on 24 December 1966)

Justice Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe apparently has decided not to resign although his Party, United National Party (UNP) has no faith in him. Meeting the Mahanayake of the Asgiriya Chapter the Most Ven. Warakagoda Sri Gnanarathana Thera and Mahanayake of the Malwatte Chapter the Most Ven. Thibbotuwawe Sri Siddhartha Sumangala Thera over the weekend Rajapakshe said he did not have any intention of resigning from the ministerial post just because some people made allegations against him on various issues.”

The time and place he decided to make this statement should come as no surprise because Rajapakshe has been courting the support of the Buddhist Monks when criticism was mounting, from his own Party, about his inaction when it came to taking action against those with allegations of corruption. I personally think it’s not a bad move because the United National Front for Good Governance (UNFGG) Government has a habit of cowering before religious leaders.

Anyway as Rajapakshe told the Mahanayakes, it is up to the President to decide whether Rajapakshe should go and the question is whether President Sirisena decides, finally, to take a decisive action. As German jurist and political theorist Carl Schmitt would say President must ‘decide what the exception is and make the decisions appropriate to that exception.’

Continue reading ‘President Sirisena Must Use His Powers Without Squeamishness and Get Rid of Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe.’ »

By K. D. Devapriya

The ‘pooja’ at the historical Ruhuna Kataragama Devalaya was not held on Monday morning as the key to the devalaya had been taken away by Basnayaka Nilame D. P. Kumarage from a kapurala who was to perform the ritual.

Well informed sources said the incident had occurred due to a dispute between the Basnayake Nilame and the kapuralas.

Continue reading ‘Pooja at Kathirgamam/Kataragama stopped as Basnayake Nilame and Kapuralas Over Custody of Key to Holy Shrine’ »

by Zacki Jabbar

The UNP Working Committee yesterday requested President Maithripala Sirisena to remove Justice and Buddha Sasana Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe from his ministerial positions as he had failed to show cause for violating collective Cabinet responsibility by publicly criticising the Hambantota Port Agreement with China after having endorsed it at a recent Cabinet meeting.

Political sources said that the request had been a sequel to UNP leader and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe’s explanation to President Sirisena at an emergency meeting between the two late Monday night. The PM told the President that Wijeyadasa had not met the August 21 deadline given to him by the UNP, to explain his conduct.

Continue reading ‘UNP Working Committee Requests President to Remove Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe From Cabinet But No Response from Sirisena so far.’ »

by Zacki Jabbar

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and President Maithripala Sirisena had an emergency meeting last night following a government parlimentary group meeting at Temple Trees.

Government sources said some MPs had taken up the issue of Justice and Buddha Sasana Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe vilolating collective Cabinet responsibility by publicly criticising the Hambantota Port agreement with China.

Continue reading ‘President and Prime Minister Hold Urgent Late Night Meeting to Discuss Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe’s Defiant Stand of Neither Apologizing Nor Resigning.’ »

Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday, condemning the proposed new Inland Revenue Law, said that no SLFPer could vote for such a bill which would tax provident fund contributions, increase tax burden on the struggling public and impose taxes on places of worship.

Rajapaksa said, in a media statement, yesterday: “This new law is weighted against the local production, local entrepreneurship, local creativity and local people and favours multinationals and foreigners”.

Following is the text of a media release issued by ex-President Rajapaksa on the proposed new Inland Revenue Law:

A Bill to replace the Inland Revenue Act No: 10 of 2006, is to be taken up in Parliament on Friday the 25th August 2017. We oppose this Inland Revenue Bill for the following reasons.

1. Under Clause 5(2)(f) of the Bill, the employer’s contribution to a provident fund will be considered a part of an employee’s taxable income.

Continue reading ‘New Inland Revenue Laws Favour Multi-nationals and Foreigners Charges Ex-president Mahinda Rajapaksa.’ »

By Vijith Samarasinghe

Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena last month signed a gazette to establish an Office on Missing Persons (OMP) so as to pretend to be delivering justice for the tens of thousands of people who disappeared during the country’s three-decade communal war and civil emergencies.

In reality, this is a desperate attempt by the government to paint itself in “democratic” colouring, while protecting and further arming the same police and military forces responsible for these crimes.
More than 20,000 people, mainly Tamils, went missing during the 26-year communal war that ended in May 2009. Tens of thousands of Sinhala youth also disappeared during the suppression of rural unrest in the 1988–1990 period. These people were abducted by the security forces or associated paramilitary death squads and killed.

After signing the gazette on July 20, Sirisena tweeted: “This marks another step forward in Sri Lanka’s path to sustained peace.” UN Secretary General António Guterres commended the government, saying the decision was “an important step for all Sri Lankans who are still looking for the truth about their loved ones.” Various media outlets and “civil society” quickly endorsed the government’s claim of a victory for democracy.

Referring to the OMP, the official leader of the parliamentary opposition, Tamil National Alliance (TNA) leader R. Sambandan, said he “wished the issue of the missing persons would be credibly dealt with to ensure relief for the families.”

Continue reading ‘Govt Gazettes Establishment of a Missing Persons Office While Protecting Police and Military Personnel Responsible for Disappearances Crimes.’ »

By

Ranga Jayasuriya

President Maithripala Sirisena has decided to set up a National Economic Council (NEC) which will become the apex body tasked to formulate and implement the government’s economic and development policy. The new venture is in part an attempt by the President to claw back some control of the economic policy, which was hitherto under the purview of Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and his economic advisers. However, the plus side is that it would inject a degree of certainty to the government’s policy and mitigate the effects of the obstructionist tactics resorted to by the SLFP partner in the yahapalana government.

What has left the government dilly dallying on many of the major development projects is not so much the opposition by the joint opposition, but obstructionism by the government’s own junior partner, the SLFP, whose opposition is neither principled nor fact-driven. Rather, it is driven by calculated political opportunism. It is also an overt pretest by the SLFP members against the UNP which had sidelined them in the decision-making process and thus depriving them of perks generally associated with being part of the government.

The dissenting SLFP MPs and ministers are not exactly interested in the pros and cons of the leasing of the Hambantota Port to the Chinese or the joint-venture with India to develop the Trincomalee Port. They are bitter about the fact that they cannot get government jobs and contracts for their henchmen. To rub it in, their counterparts in the UNP are filling government jobs with their stooges. This unfair status quo which is a life and death matter in their re-election prospects is dissuading the SLFP junior partner from wholeheartedly supporting any government decision.

Continue reading ‘National Economic Council Could Hopefully Restore Balance of Political Power Between UNP and SLFP In Govt’ »

Disappointed fans in Dambulla held up the Sri Lankan cricket team’s bus on Sunday evening after hosts suffered a humiliating nine wicket defeat in the five-match ODI series.

Fans have been losing their patience with the national team, especially after the team lost the Test series 3-0 and showed little signs of improvement in the limited-overs contest.

Around 50 fans shouted slogans and booed the local players forcing security personnel to step in. The players were held up for about 30 minutes, according to reports.

The Sri Lankan cricket team seems to be in complete disarray what with coach Nic Pothas unhappy with external interference in team matters.

Continue reading ‘Security Called in as Over 50 Disappointed Fans shout and Hoot at Lankan Cricket Team After 9 wicket Defeat in Dambulla.’ »

By The “Economy Next” Political Correspondent

Sri Lanka’s Justice Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe is no stranger to controversy. His May 2000 ruling as the head of the quasi legal Press Council should have been reason enough to keep him out of the current cabinet, but the Prime Minister appears to have thought otherwise.

It is unclear if Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe was aware of the landmark decision of Rajapakshe which could be considered a 21st century disgrace to the country.

In deciding on a complaint filed by a gay rights activist against the Island newspaper, Rajapaksh ruled that lesbianism equals sadism and did not think there was anything wrong in calling convicted sexual offenders to “cure” lesbians of their “illness” by raping them.

Hate mail against women who love women had been published by the newspaper in good faith, Rajapakshe ruled. In a bizarre turn of events, he said the male activist who brought the action against the newspaper should be fined 2,100 rupees.

Continue reading ‘Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe’s Controversial Ruling on Lesbianism When he Was Head of the Sri Lanka Press Council’ »

By

P K Balachandran

It’s been two years since two of Sri Lanka’s largest political groupings – the United National Party (UNP) and the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) – signed a MoU to cohabit in the government for two years to give “Good Governance” in place of the nine-year corruption and violence-ridden rule of Mahinda Rajapaksa.

At the end of the stipulated period of the alliance, a rough audit will show that the coalition government has much to its credit, though from the electoral prospects point of view, it leaves much to be desired, given the hype surrounding its advent to power and the hyperbolic promises it had made at election time.

By all accounts, the coalition will survive beyond the stipulated two years, if only to keep the common rival, Rajapaksa, away from power. But the government is in sixes and sevens. The regime as a whole, as well as the two main parties in it, are torn by internal contradictions which have, many times, threatened the coalition.

Continue reading ‘UNP-SLFP Coalition Govt in Total Confusion and Disarray After Two Years’ »

By
L.B.Senarathna and J.A.L.Jayasinghe

Justice and Buddha Sasana Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe said the he did not have any intention of resigning from the Ministerial post just because some people made allegations against him on various issues.

Speaking to journalists after meeting the Mahanayake of the Asgiriya Chapter the Most Ven. Warakagoda Sri Gnanarathana Thera and Mahanayake of the Malwatte Chapter the Most Ven. Thibbotuwawe Sri Siddhartha Sumangala Thera, he said that he had responded to all the allegations levelled against him

Explaining what happened at the UNP Working Committee meeting last week where he was said o have been criticised by many Ministers, Mr. Rajapakshe told the Asgiriya Prelate that many people behaved and shouted for about two hours compelling him to wonder whether this was the political party founded by the late Prime Minister D.S. Senanayake.

Continue reading ‘Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe Says he Wont Resign as Cabinet Minister and Wants President Sirisena to Take Decision’ »

by Amal Jayasinghe

Embattled Justice Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe criticised President Maithripala Sirisena’s coalition government yesterday saying it had failed the nation and urged Buddhists monks to lead a campaign for political change.

Rajapakshe, who faces possible expulsion from the cabinet, took Health Minister Rajitha Senaratne head on accusing him of interfering in the affairs of the justice ministry and took thinly veiled swipes at Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe too.

Speaking at a public meeting at Rambawe in the Anuradhapura district, the Justice Minister said his cabinet colleague Senaratne was not worried about the spread of chronic kidney disease and dengue and instead poked his nose in the affairs of others.

.”Even if everyone in the country is affected by kidney failure and everyone dies of dengue, our health minister has more important things to worry about, such as the AG’s department and the justice system…,” he said.

Continue reading ‘Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe Wants Buddhist Monks to Lead Campaign for Political Change as Sirisena led Govt Has Failed the Nation.’ »

By the “Sunday Times”Political Editor

The snowballing effect of President Sirisena’s remarks at a Cabinet meeting last month that the UNP leadership stalled high profile cases involving the former President, members of his family and associates continues to reverberate. There appears to have been considerable soul searching by the party hierarchy over those responsible and what form of action should be initiated against them.

It is in this backdrop that a group of UNP back-benchers supported by seniors collected signatures for a Vote of No-Confidence in Parliament on Justice Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe. It was not only over his remarks against the Hambantota Port project with the Chinese, which he vowed to take back one day, but also covered other reasons.

As revealed in these columns last week, Premier Wickremesinghe persuaded those sponsoring the Vote of No Confidence not to proceed. He said that it required approval of the Working Committee and himself as the leader of the party.

When the Working Committee, the main policy making body of the party, and the Parliamentary Group met at a joint session at UNP headquarters Sirikotha on Thursday morning, moves against Rajapakshe dominated the discussion.

Continue reading ‘Justice Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe Wont Apologize or Resign But Will Fight Back in Defiant Mood.’ »

By

Kishali Pinto Jayawardene

That Sri Lanka’s new Minister of Foreign Affairs has chosen to flippantly wave aside the stupefying conduct of the Inspector General of Police (IGP) in grabbing an employee by the collar, threateningly raising a hand and berating him, is unfortunate to say the least.

Not reflective of the law

The IGP’s fury had been occasioned by the failure of a hapless lift operator to participate in compulsory meditation sessions ordered by him. Judging from the video footage, it is the IGP who seems to need supervised and strictly enforced intensive meditation, not his helpless employees. I will return to that salutary point later.

But when questioned on this incident, the new Minister is reported to have said days into assuming his new post, to quote, “torture is something that will severely injure a person….but (this) was a person abusing a person; you can’t equate it to torture” (Economy Next, August 19th 2017). If these remarks are correctly attributable to him, the Minister (himself a lawyer of repute at a point) is in need of a summary brief on the jurisprudence regarding ‘torture, cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment’ prohibited by Article 11 of the Constitution. This claim is quite contrary to the weight of precedent on the matter.

Continue reading ‘Tilak Marapana Needs to Be Briefed on Jurisprudence Regarding “Torture”Prohibited by Article 11 of Constitution.’ »

By

C.A.Chandraprema

It was evident from the time the present government came into power that the UNP as a collective entity was not in its proper senses. In 2001, when much the same individuals in the UNP came into power, they were a stabilising force which doused the flames that had been ignited by Chandrika Kumaratunga in during her blighted seven years in power from 1994 to 2001. At that time, it was the UNP that put an end to the cycle of political reprisals and revenge taking between the UNP and the SLFP and also nursed the devastated economy back to some degree of stability after CBK had run it to the ground. After 2015 however, the old cycle of persecution and reprisals that we thought we had seen the last of after 2001 has resumed with a vengeance under the very UNP that put a temporary stop to it in 2001. We have to assume that the UNP which was a sane and stabilising force in 2001 has taken leave of their senses after 2015.

The clearest sign of this was the stormy joint session of the UNP working committee and the parliamentary group last Thursday which was held to discuss the conduct of Justice Minister Wijayadasa Rajapakshe. It had been akin to a feeding frenzy – no less, with virtually every one who spoke, tearing into Rajapakshe and no one rising to his defence. There was no let up even in the ‘voice cuts’ given by UNP Ministers and parliamentarians after the meeting. They were all out for Minister Rajapakshe’s blood and wanted him out of the Justice Minister’s job. The events that took place in this Joint session of the UNP working committee and parliamentary group was best summed up by SLFP deputy minister Nimal Lanza who used the phrase ‘gon relak’ (herd of bovines) to describe those baying for Rajapakshe’s blood. And indeed that was the most appropriate way to describe the collective conduct of today’s UNP.

Continue reading ‘Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe Has the Unstinted Support of the SLFP,Joint Opposition and Buddhist Establishment.’ »

Sri Lanka’s new Foreign Minister Tilak Marapana assumed office Friday defending embattled police chief Pujith Jayasundara who was enraged after an employee failed to participate in a mandatory meditation session.

Marapana dismissed the leaked video which showed police chief shaking a lift operator by the collar and making threatening gestures because he had not meditated for 15 minutes before starting work at headquarters.

“I don’t consider it torture,” Marapana said when asked by a reporter if Jayasundara’s behaviour would strengthen allegations of rights groups that police routinely practice torture on suspects in custody.

“Torture is something that will severely injure a person,” He said adding that what was seen on the video was “a person abusing a person. You can’t equate it to torture.”

Continue reading ‘“Abusing a Person Cant be Equated with Torture” Says new Foreign Minister Tilak Marapana In Defence of IGP Jayasundara.’ »

Forcing Foreign minister Ravi Karunanayake to step down avoided a showdown between the President and the Prime Minister, but the duo faces more challenges as their listless coalition looks for direction.

President Maithripala Sirisena had his way when Karunanayake was forced out after he was linked to controversial bond trader Arjun Aloysius, but the troubles have only escalated to a new level within the coalition.

A source close to the President said he was keen to sack Justice Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapaksha since mid last year when civil society organisations told him that he was blocking prosecutions of members of the former regime.

Good governance activists had wanted the justice minister as well as the head of military intelligence Tuan Suresh Sallay removed, but only Sally was sacked as the Prime Minister defended his justice minister.

With Karunanayake’s removal, pressure was mounting from within the United National Party, the senior partner in the coalition, to expel the justice minister who is accused of being Mahinda Rajapaksa’s mole in the cabinet.

Continue reading ‘Pressure Mounts Within UNP To Expel Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe Who is Accused of Being Mahinda Rajapaksa’s Mole in the Cabinet’ »

After a gap of 47 years, Sri Lanka on Friday appointed a Tamil as the Commander of its navy.

Rear Admiral Travis Jeremy Liyanduru Sinniah, who was made navy chief by President Maithripala Sirisena, is the second Tamil to head the country’s navy after Rear Admiral Rajanathan “Rajan” Kadirgamar who served between 1960 and 70.

Hailing Adm.Sinniah’s appointment, President Sirisena tweeted saying that he had served the Sri Lankan navy “with immense loyalty for many decades.”

True enough, because both Adm.Kadirgamar and Adm. Sinniah had stood by the state like a rock when the country was undergoing political turbulence.

Continue reading ‘New Navy Commander Rear Admiral Travis Sinniah Becomes 2nd Tamil Navy Chief After Rajan Kadirgamar Retired in 1970.’ »

By

Dr.Dayan Jayatilleka

The Working Committee and the Parliamentary Group of the UNP disgracefully passed a unanimous vote of no-confidence against Minister of Justice and Buddha Sasana, Wijayadasa Rajapakshe, which said more about those two UNP entities than about Wijeyadasa—and none of it good. The real reason, or should I say, the main reason out of the set of real reasons, for the UNP-NGO lynch mob against Wijayadasa Rajapakshe is not the need to expedite justice and to catch crooks. The main reason that Rajapakshe is being targeted is to shoot through him or get him out of the way and hit the real target. That real target is the Attorney-General’s Department.

Why so? Because the UNP leadership is trying to head-off a Watergate outcome. More specifically, because the officials of the AG’s Department are courageously and independently inquiring into the Bond Scam and the UNP does not want the inquiry to go beyond and above Ravi Karunanayaka, Arjuna Aloysious and Arjuna Mahendran. It doesn’t even want the Commission to really go for Arjuna Mahendran. It hopes to save him in the nick of time. But above all it does not want the Commission to inquire into the chain of command that brought Mahendran the Singaporean here, installed him as nothing less than the head of the Central Bank and gave him the patronage to do what he did.

Continue reading ‘Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe Is Being Targeted By UNP to Undermine the A-G Dept and Cripple the Treasury Bond Inquiry’ »

Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa has denied government claims that a range of properties belonging to the Rajapaksa family estimated to be worth Rs. 5 bn had been seized. The former President said that there was absolutely no basis for this claim.

The Office of the former President has issued the following statement yesterday:

“Three members of my family – my wife Shiranthi Rajapaksa and our younger sons Yoshitha and Rohitha were questioned by the CID and FCID this week. My wife was asked why the colour of a jeep that had been
made available by the Red Cross to her charity Siriliya Saviya in 2011 and used by the Presidential Secretariat had been changed. International NGOs make their vehicles available to local charities once their projects are over.

My wife had told the CID that she knows nothing about the maintenance or repair of vehicles used by the Presidential Secretariat. On Wednesday, the CID obtained a statement from my son Yoshitha on the same matter. He had been asked whether he had given instructions to anyone to change the colour of this vehicle. To this Yoshitha had replied in the negative and explained that the transport division of the presidential secretariat maintains the vehicles and gets them painted if necessary. He had been asked whether he had used this jeep as his back up vehicle to which he had replied that it is the PSD that assigns any available vehicle for his back up team and that he had no role in the matter.

“For the first time, my youngest son Rohitha was also hauled before the FCID on Tuesday. He was asked whether he was a shareholder of ‘Supreme Sat’ which was the first Sri Lankan company to be involved in the launch of a communications satellite.

Continue reading ‘“Yamapalana”Propaganda Offensive Against Me, My Family and Opposition” Alleges Ex-President Mahinda Rajapaksa.’ »

By Akitha Perera

The UNP yesterday resolved to appoint a committee to decide whether Buddha Sasana and Justice Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe should be allowed to remain in the Cabinet or not.

The decision had been taken at a combined meeting of the UNP Working Committee (WC) and parliamentary group at Sirikotha with its leader Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe presiding, party Spokesman Education Minister Akila Viraj Kariyawasam told The Island.

Minister Rajapakshe came under heavy fire from the ministers and other MPs over comments the latter had allegedly made on the controversial Hambantota port deal.

Minister Kariyawasam said Prime Minister Wickremesinghe would soon appoint the committee.

Continue reading ‘UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe to Appoint Party Committee to Determine Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe’s Future in the Cabinet.’ »

Following severe criticism levelled against Justice Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe at yesterday’s UNP Central Committee and Parliamentary Group meeting, the party will attempt to resolve the ensuing standoff on Monday.

Minister Rajapakshe is expected to meet Prime Minister and UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe in the coming days and make a final decision by Monday, sources within the UNP told Daily FT.

Rajapakshe is also expected to make a statement on the issue on Monday, sources said.

Criticising Rajapakshe, the UNP Parliamentary Group called for the Justice Minister’s resignation.

Continue reading ‘UNP Parliamentary Group Calls for Resignation of Justice and Buddha Sasana Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe.’ »

The United National Party (UNP) Working Committee and Parliamentary group yesterday unanimously adopted a no-confidence Resolution against Justice and Buddhasasana Minister Wijeydasa Rajapakshe.

The five-point resolution submitted by parliamentarian Ashu Marasinghe contained the following allegations against Justice and Buddhasasana Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe:

Continue reading ‘UNP Working Committee Passes 5 Point Resolution of No Confidence in Justice and Buddha Sasana Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe.’ »

By Yohan Perera

Minister of Justice Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe, who was at the centre of controversy after being accused of violating the collective responsibility of the Cabinet by some of his colleagues, is to make a special statement on Monday, UNP General Secretary Kabir Hashim told journalists today.

Minister Hashim told journalists that Mr. Rajapakshe assured the party’s working committee and the parliamentary group that he will make a statement on Monday on the true situation regarding the statements he made earlier.

He said Mr. Rajapakshe is also expected to meet Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe shortly before making the public statement. Further, Mr. Hashim said the government will also take some important steps especially with regard to collective responsibility of the ministers.

Continue reading ‘Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe to Make Special Statement in Parliament on Aug 21st to “Explain” His Earlier Statements.’ »

M. Sooriasegaram

Caste system is still practiced in the Northern Province of Sri Lanka. Contrary to popular view propagated by the ruling caste that caste is a thing of the past, it is a living cancer within the Tamil community. The upper caste community is the ruling caste in this province. All other castes have been historically discriminated and downtrodden in a wide variety of ways – socially and economically and in many other ways, examples of which are far too many to be listed here.

The main Tamil political parties (Ceylon Tamil Congress, Federal Party and the TULF) unashamedly practiced or promoted or at best remained silent on the marginalisation and oppression of the lower caste communities and prevented them from improving their life chances. They are discriminated in access to land, education, employment and crematoriums. They are driven to live as social outcasts.

Their political representation in the country’s Parliament, Provincial Councils and other local government bodies is almost zero in spite of the fact they represent over 40% of the population in the NP. They are effectively disenfranchised.

Historically they have been kept out of temples, places of eating such as restaurants (serving tea and food took place in separate low quality designated vessels in a very humiliating manner). They were treated as sub-human. Through persistent struggles against the upper caste onslaught by these communities lead by Trade Union and Communist Party leader Shanmugathasan and other intelectual leaders they managed to win their right to enter into temples and worship side by side with the upper caste community.

Tamil Congress, Federal Party and the TULF never supported such emancipatory freedom struggles of the oppressed people either in the past or even today. They always took the side of the oppressors.

Continue reading ‘Caste Based Apartheid Segregates Crematoriums For “Upper” and “Lower” Castes in Jaffna’ »

Sri Lanka’s police chief has triggered calls for his resignation after footage emerged showing him assaulting an employee who refused to participate in mandatory morning meditation sessions.

The leaked CCTV video showed Inspector-General Pujith Jayasundara grabbing a lift operator by the collar and making threatening gestures after he did not join the regulation “mindfulness meditation” at police headquarters.

Jayasundara had already raised eyebrows in February when he made daily meditation mandatory for the 85,000 officers and staff under his command. Work at all stations halted for 15 minutes every day because of the practice.

Continue reading ‘Enraged IGP Pujitha Jayasundara Collars and Threatens Lift Operator for not Attending Meditation Session at Police Dept.’ »

By

W.A. Sunil

The forced resignation of Foreign Minister Ravi Karunanayake last week is a clear sign of the intensifying political crisis facing the government of President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe.

The immediate reason for Karunanayake’s resignation was to avoid a no-confidence motion presented to the parliamentary speaker by the self-named joint opposition—a group of MPs led by former President Mahinda Rajapakse.

Karunanayake was swept up in a corruption scandal last week after it was revealed that he had financial dealings with the main accused in a Central Bank bond scam, involving several billion rupees and under investigation by an ongoing Presidential Commission of Inquiry.

The joint opposition, which is a dissident faction of Sirisena’s Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP), saw Karunanakaye’s alleged involvement in the scandal as another opportunity to exploit growing popular discontent with the government. Many MPs from Sirisena’s faction of the SLFP had indicated their intention to vote for the no-confidence motion, compounding the government’s crisis.

Continue reading ‘Forced Resignation of Ravi Karunanayake was a Desperate Attempt By Maithri-Ranil Regime To Cling On to Power.’ »

by Zacki Jabbar

The government has decided to increase the number of High Courts with some of them functioning as trials-at-bar since more than 43 criminal cases against some members of former President Mahinda Rajapaksas family and his regime were stuck at the Attorney General’s Department for nearly two years.

Addressing the weekly Cabinet Press Briefing at the Information Department yesterdy, Health Minister Rajitha Senaratne said that trials-at-bar could sit on a daily basis and hear a minimum of two cases a day, which would help clear the backlog of cases to a great extent.

Continue reading ‘Govt To Establish More High Courts To Expedite Hearing of Corruption Cases Against Rajapaksa Regime Through Trials at Bar’ »

Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s second son Yoshitha Rajapaksa appeared before the Criminal Investigation Division (CID) of the Police this morning.

He will be asked to make a statement relating to a jeep belonging to the ‘Siriliya Saviya’ Foundation suspected to have been used in the abduction and murder of Wasim Thajudeen.

Continue reading ‘Yoshitha Rajapaksa Faces CID Inquiry “Siriliya Saviya”Jeep Used In Ruggerite Wasim Thajudeen’s Murder.’ »

Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s youngest son, Rohitha Rajapaksa yesterday said a satellite stationed in the sky cannot be viewed with a magnifying glass – as suggested by some government ministers.

He made these remarks while speaking to media after giving a statement to the Police Financial Crimes Investigations Division (FCID).

Rajapaksa was questioned today by the FCID over the Supreme SAT satellite project of which Rajapaksa was the chief engineer.

Continue reading ‘Rohitha Rajapaksa Questioned By FCID About Singapore Investor Funding China Built Supreme SAT Satellite Project.’ »

By
P.K.Balachandran

Sri Lanka’s Minister for Justice and Buddha Sasana, Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe, appears to be making a bid to capture the island’s core political constituency – the Sinhala Buddhist-Nationalist constituency – in the absence of credible senior claimants..

The constituency was well served by Mahinda Rajapaksa until he messed up his political career by a variety of indiscretions in the last part of his two-term stint as President of Sri Lanka.

However, even now, Rajapaksa’s prospects for a comeback in 2020 look bright, given the political confusion in, and the lackluster performance of, the coalition government led by President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe.

But popular though Rajapaksa may be, there is a bar against his becoming President now. The 19 th. constitutional amendment of 2015 had put a two term cap on Presidents and Rajapaksa has served two terms.

Therefore, even if his group captures power, Rajapaksa can, at best, only be a Sonia Gandhi, remaining in the background and functioning through remote control.

His political prospects are also marred by the numerous and apparently credible corruption and even criminal charges against him, his family and cohorts, which are being investigated by several agencies.

Continue reading ‘Is Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe Trying to be the New Leader of Lanka’s Sinhala Buddhist Nationalists?’ »

Sri Lanka’s former first lady, Shiranthi Rajapakse was questioned by the Criminal Investigations Department on Tuesday over the murder of a former national rugby player.

Shiranthi, was escorted into the CID by her husband and former President Mahinda Rajapakse after she was summoned to provide a statement.

Continue reading ‘Shiranthi Escorted by Mahinda Questioned by CID Over Rugby Star Thajudeen’s Murder Amidst Protests Alleging Political witchhunt.’ »

By

Dr.Dayan Jayatilleka

The weekly evidence of the unprecedentedly dependent, servile character of the Yahapalana administration came in the form of a report in the prestigious Hindu by its smart, Colombo based correspondent Meera Srinivasan. Captioned ‘India keen to run Sri Lanka airport’, it says:

“India has expressed interest to operate Sri Lanka’s second international airport situated in Mattala, about 40 km from the southern town of Hambantota, where China has a majority stake in a strategic port it built. The Sri Lankan govt earlier this week cleared Civil Aviation Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva’s request for a committee to study the Indian government’s proposal. India proposes to “operate, manage, maintain and develop” the airport through a joint venture, holding 70% of the equity for 40 years…” (The Hindu, August 12th 2017)

Not even during the period of the IPKF did our huge neighbour, which has Tamil Nadu as a significant shareholder, get to “run” a Sri Lankan airport deep in the interior of the country, in the Sinhala heartland. Nor did any Ceylonese/Sri Lankan govt ever think of giving India a 70% share for 40 years in any venture as strategic as an airport.

This is in addition to the two stories in the sister paper of the Daily Mirror, which says that the Survey Department which is over a century old, is to be virtually handed over to a US firm named Trimble so as to work on an island-wide Land Registry, while the country’s labour laws are to be revised under the guidance and with the financial assistance of the USAID.

If this doesn’t add up to a project of re-colonization or neo-colonization, then what does?

Continue reading ‘Maithri-Ranil Govt is Fissuring as well as Going Gaga in a Politically Suicidal Way.’ »

Sri Lanka’s information technology chief, Muhunthan Canagey said he was forced to resign Monday following a public criticism of spectrum award said to have been made to a business group which operates a radio and TV network.

Canagey alleged that the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka which is directly under President Maithripala Sirisena had given a block of 700MegaHertz spectrum to Colombo-based Maharaja group, causing a loss of over three billion to the state.

“Till today’s MTV (Maharaja TV) has failed to tell the public how they got the spectrum and causing a loss to the state of Rs. 3 billion,” Canagey said in a tweet at the end of last month.

Continue reading ‘President Sirisena Calls For and Obtains Resignation of Sri Lanka’s Information Technology Chief Muhunthan Canagey.’ »

By
Sirimantha Ratnasekera and Priyadarshana Liyanage

The Cabinet of ministers, at its meeting chaired by President Maithripala Sirisena yesterday, had taken up what some members described as inordinate delay in taking action against the Rajapaksa family and ministers of the previous government.

Political sources said that several ministers had strongly criticised the delay and veteran UNPer Gamini Jayawickrema Perera had stressed the need to handle the cases through the existing court system if the Constitution didn’t permit the setting up of a special court to hear high profile corruption and criminal cases.

Sources said that the majority of ministers including Tilak Marapana, Patali Champika Ranawaka and Sagala Ratnayake supported that view.

Continue reading ‘Majority of Cabinet Ministers Want Legal Action to be Taken Without Delay Against Rajapaksa Family and Ex-Ministers in JO.’ »

By Sham Nuwan Ganewatta

The Presidential Commission of Inquiry (PCoI) probing Central Bank-Perpetual Treasuries bond scams yesterday stressed that it wouldn’t be influenced by statements made by various persons regarding evidence given before it and also suggestions in respect of those whom they believed should be summoned.

The PCoI comprises Supreme Court Judges K. T. Chitrasiri and Prasanna Sujeewa Jayawardena and former senior Deputy Auditor General Kandasamy Velupillai

The following is the full text of the statement issued by the PCoI.

Continue reading ‘Only Relevant Witnesses Are Being Summoned Emphasises Presidential Commission of Inquiry in Statement.’ »

Tilak Janaka Marapana, Minister of Development Assignments, was sworn-in as Sri Lanka’s Foreign Minister on Tuesday in place of Ravi Karunanayake who had resigned last week.

Karunanayake had resigned on account of his controversial financial dealings with stock broker Arjun Aloysisus, a principal figure in the 2015 Central Bank bonds scam.

Marapana is a loyalist of Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and is expected to carry out the policies of the Prime Minister in letter and spirit, political sources said.

Continue reading ‘Development assignments Minister Tilak Marapana Sworn in as Foreign Affairs Minister .’ »

By

P.K.Balachandran

Two years into its five year term, Sri Lanka’s coalition government led by President Maithipala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe is afflicted by chronic disunity; contradictions in domestic and foreign policies; and a marked inability to fulfill election promises.

Given its multifarious dilemmas and the inaction these have led to, it is no wonder that the government, which came into power in January 2015 promising “Yahapalanaya” or “Good Governance”, is reluctant to hold provincial and local bodies elections.

Dithering over Karunanayake

After much dilly dallying, Prime Minister Wickremesinghe persuaded his party man and Foreign Minister Ravi Karunanayake to resign from the Council of Ministers following exposure of his controversial financial dealings with Arjun Aloysius, a central figure in the multi-billion rupee Central Bank bonds scam, when he was Finance Minister in 2015.

But almost immediately after Karunanayake resigned, it became apparent that a section of the United National Party (UNP) led by Prime Minister Wickremesinghe himself, is making efforts to re-instate him in the Foreign Ministry when the dust settles down. It is rumored that whoever becomes Foreign Minister, whether it is Tilak Marapana or Sagala Ratnayake, will only be a temporary tenant at the Foreign Ministry.

Continue reading ‘Sirisena-Wickremesinghe Govt Afflicted by Chronic Disunity,Policy Contradictions and Inability to Fulfill Election Promises.’ »

Minister Tilak Marapama, who is chosen to be the new Foreign Minister, is reluctant to take oaths in the position as his predecessor Ravi Karunanayake’s personal staff is still at the ministry, informed government sources said.

Aside from the personal staff, Karunanayake, who stepped down from the position last week, is still using ministry vehicle and other facilities he enjoyed as a Cabinet minister, they added.

Continue reading ‘Marapana Reluctant To be Foreign Minister With the Condition that Karunanayake’s Personal Staff Should be Retained at Foreign Affairs Ministry.’ »

By Chathuri Dissanayake

UNP yesterday called on President Maithripala Sirisena to take action on Minister Wijedasa Rajapakshe who has compromised “collective responsibility” of the Cabinet.

Justice Minister Wijedasa Rajapakshe has been under fire for a number of controversial statements he made on Government’s move to lease Hambantota Port, leading to a number of UNP Ministers threaten him with No Confidence Motion.

UNP General Secretary, Kabir Hashim however said, that the Party has no stance on moving a no confidence motion on Rajapakshe, a member of the same party.

Instead the Minister Hashim called upon the President to take a decision on the defamed Justice Minister for his resent behavior.

Continue reading ‘UNP Gen Secy Kabir Hashim Wants President Sirisena to Decide Upon Course of Action Against Justice Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe’ »

Sri Lanka’s once popular Sunday Leader newspaper which gained popularity under slain Editor Lasantha Wickremetunga is now facing a severe financial crisis, with staff forced to go without salaries for months.

Sources attached to the newspaper alleged that the paper was facing a financial crisis as a result of mismanagement by officials appointed by former Foreign Minister Ravi Karunanayake.

Sources said that the newspaper did not go to print last Sunday (August 6) as funds were not allocated to purchase newsprint to print the paper.

However, following a last minute attempts, funds were received to publish the newspaper on August 13.

Continue reading ‘“The Sunday Leader” Newspaper Taken Over By Ravi Karunanayake Faces Financial Crisis After Arjun Aloysius Stops Assistance.’ »

(Excerpts from the “Sunday Times” Political Column of August 13th 2017)

“President Sirisena, who declared he would heed their request made a disclosure that became the talking point among those present at the CC meeting. He noted ‘Joint Opposition’ members were jubilant over the events related to Foreign Minister Ravi Karunanayake’s resignation. He warned that their euphoria would be short lived. Speaking in Sinhala, he said, “I know what is going to happen to them by next week.”

Continue reading ‘President Sirisena To Intensify “Legal Crackdown” on Ex-President Mahinda Rajapaksa and Members of his Family.’ »

Sri Lankan born Krish Vignarajah, a former Obama official, is entering the race for governor of Maryland. An official campaign kick-off and announcement is scheduled for September 19.

About her decision, Ms. Vignarajah said: “I am running for Governor because I am worried my daughter will not have the same opportunities that my mom gave me when she brought our family here when I was a baby girl. I hope Marylanders will agree the best man for the job is a woman.”

Continue reading ‘Sri Lanka Born Krish Vignarajah Enters US Maryland State Governor Race saying ” The Best Man For the Job is a Woman”.’ »

By Sulochana Ramiah Mohan

The Chinese started vying for Mattala Airport on seeing, both, then and the incumbent governments lament over the non-operation of the International Mattala Airport in the South. The Chinese built it and said it’s not their problem if Sri Lankans don’t make use of it.

However, the trend has changed with the internal politics routing the government for ‘selling’ national assets. Also the government is being webbed with geopolitics which describes that Mattala Airport cannot be given to the Chinese to manage when they have the Hambantota Port – fair enough!

The Indians have expressed their interest in managing the airport to make it a profitable business but as a joint venture so that they can share the ‘joy’ and the ‘blunder’ together.

If the Mattala Airport is given to India, this would be one of their biggest or next to Northern Railway project . Recently, the Indians also signed an agreement for USD 380 mn financial assistance to Sri Lanka Railways.

The Deputy Civil Aviation Minister Ashoka Abesingha told Ceylon Today that the debt incurring with the Mattala Airport is unbearable.

He laments that USD 252 million worth airport but generating only three million per month with one flight landing there. “The monthly instalment paid to China is USD 300 mnwhich means USD 3.6 bn annually. He also added that the expenditure incurring at the Mattala stands at Rs 25mn every month.

Continue reading ‘Will China Built Mattala Airport Management be Made a Joint Venture With India To Maintain “Balance”In Geo-political Relations?’ »

(Full Text of Statement Made on August 10th 2017 By Ravi Karunanayake M.P. In Parliament When Resigning as Minister of Foreign Affairs

‘The mainstream media in the country, websites and other social media made bold headlines about me in the last few days. Certain members of parliament too expressed different views. A no confidence motion against me has also been handed over. Therefore I thought of explaining my position to this respectable house.

A question was raised about my residency in an apartment on Monarch Residencies in Colombo 3. Therefore I testified before the Presidential Commission that was probing the Central Bank Bond Issue.

I, as a parliamentarian and responsible minister, thought that it is important to explain my position and express my stance before this honorable house.

First of all, let me explain the true factors about this matter.

We were compelled to shift to a new house as our Battaramulla residence needed some renovation. I did not use an official quarters as well. Therefore my family members looked for a place for us to stay. My family members told me that they found an apartment that owned by the daughter of Nahil Wijesuriya. Later, we shifted to that house.

Nahil Wijesuriya’s daughter is a school mate of my daughter. However, she was reluctant to lease her house in the name of a politician. Subsequently, my daughter has proposed her friend to lease the house in the name of a company owned by one of the school friends of both my daughter and Nahil Wijesuriya’s daughter – Arjun Aloysius.

Later, the apartment was leased in the name of the particular company. Our daughter reimbursed the leasing fee to that company.

After some time, the owner of the apartment decided to sell her house and one of our companies purchased it. A bank loan was obtained from Seylan Bank for the purpose. I’ll table the documents with regard to that loan – Seylan Bank – Ref: No – WTL/CRD/2016 – 1535, September 29, 2016.

Continue reading ‘Full Text of Statement Made By Ravi Karunanayake M.P. In Parliament When Resigning as Minister of Foreign Affairs on August 10th 2017.’ »

By

Kishali Pinto Jayawardene

For those who laboured long and hard to bring fresh cleansing winds to Sri Lanka’s degenerate political culture in 2015, these are times of mortified reflection. The collective angst of the United National Party (UNP) amidst a dismaying disarray and loss of public confidence beggars the imagination. Its parliamentarians are filing no-confidence motions against its own ministers as well as those from the other half of the (dis) unity alliance. And the very air is rendered hideous with their loud lamentations that Justice is not being done.

Satire of the most devilish kind

We are battered by complaints that the focus is only on current corruption rather than gross violators of the previous regime. This is vis a vis the resignation of the UNP’s Foreign Affairs (formerly Finance) Minister in the wake of testimony before the popularly styled ‘Bond Scam Commission’ relating to an egregious conflict of interest. The public is told that it must rejoice since ‘a Minister resigned.’ Alas, this is satire of the most devilish kind.

So after whitewashing the Central Bank bond fiasco for well upon two years, is applause the fit reaction when ‘a Minister resigns’ and that too grudgingly due to a public outcry? Lest we forget, the whitewash of this incident by the UNP included appointing a committee of largely unknown party lawyers to skim over the responsibility of former Central Bank Governor Arjuna Mahendran.

It also included the UNP parliamentarians in the parliamentary committee on public enterprises (COPE) insisting on adding ‘footnotes’ to the COPE report to preempt questions of legal wrong doing on the part of the former Governor. In truth, former President Mahinda Rajapaksa must be engaging in fiendish chuckles in his Medamulana lair at the predicament that the Government, (his bête noir as well as a protector of sorts) finds itself.

Continue reading ‘Public Being Told To Rejoice Over a Minister Resigning Is Devilish Satire’ »

Lasanda Kurukulasuriya

The government’s manner of communicating details of the Hambantota port deal to the public has been less than forthright, and lacking in transparency, considering public apprehensions over the fallout of the project. In an attempt to get around the opposition to a big time give-away of control over a national asset – a strategically located deep water port – there seem to have been attempts to pull the wool over people’s eyes.

The impression conveyed and widely reported as to the ratio of shares held by the Sri Lankan side and the Chinese side, was misleading. Of the two companies to be newly set up under the unprecedented 99-year agreement, the Hambantota International Port Services (HIPS) company – which was granted with the exclusive right to develop, operate and manage the Common User Facilities of Hambantota port including security – 50.7% of shares were said to be held by the Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) and the balance 49.3% by HIPG (Hambantota International Port Group) in which the China Merchants Port Holdings Co. Ltd. (CMPort) holds a 85% stake.

However a disclosure made by CMPort on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange categorically said “SLPA will hold (i) 15% of the shares of HIPG and (ii) 42% of the shares of HIPS on the Concession Agreement Effective Date.” Sri Lanka is clearly a minority share holder in this deal, which translates into a loss of control of a national asset of strategic value, which in turn has implications for sovereignty.

Continue reading ‘India’s Worries Over China Extend Far Beyond Sri Lanka and Hambantota Port.’ »

(Excerpts From the “Sunday Times”Political Column of August 13th 2017)

” Adding to the unease of the UNP was another development. Justice Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe in different public comments and in newspaper interviews, strongly criticised the Concession Agreement between the Government and the Chinese company for the Hambantota Port project.

Rajapakshe, known for wallowing in controversy, said it was his commitment to take back the Hambantota Port one day from Chinese hands. If it was clearly a violation of collective responsibility since the Cabinet of Ministers had approved the Concession Agreement, which is a legally binding document, it was to spark anger amongst UNP backbenchers.

On Thursday, they began a signature campaign for a Vote of No Confidence on Rajapakshe. The thrust of their accusations was on violating collective cabinet responsibility.

Continue reading ‘Ranil Vetoes Move by UNP Group of MP’s Associated with Ravi Karunanayake to Bring No Faith Motion Against Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe’ »

by C.A.Chandraprema

The resignation of Ravi Karunanayke from the position of Foreign Minister will have far reaching implications for the UNP. This is not just some provincial politician who can be replaced by the next person on the list. Ravi K was the Assistant Leader of the UNP and it was no secret that he had ambitions of leading the party one day. He was in direct competition with Sajith Premadasa to succeed RW. Ravi K was one of the key figures in the UNP when it was in the opposition. He had been cultivating Ven Maduluwawe Sobitha Thera for years and his perseverance paid off when Ven. Sobitha who had been a key figure in the Sinhala nationalist camp became the principal Buddhist figure in the yahapalana campaign. It is doubtful whether the yahapalana campaign would have suceded without Ven. Sobitha to give it a veneer of acceptability among the Buddhist population or at least to reassure Buddhists that they would not be sold down the river by the alliance which included the TNA and the Muslim political parties.

Thus if not for Ravi K’s cultivation of Ven Sobitha thera, the yahapalana victory itself may not have been possible. Then there was the fact that he did help the UNP with funds when it was in opposition. It was through a political party and a symbol owned by him that both Sarath Fonseka and Maithripala Sirisena contested the 2010 and 2015 Presidential elections. It was also he who dissuaded Ranil Wickremesinghe from contesting the 2015 presidential election so as to make way to Sirisena to step in. Thus Ravi’s contribution to the yahapalana campaign was even greater than that of Mangala Samaraweera. In terms of the yahapalana cabal, he ranks among the top leaders along with the likes of Sirisena, Chandrika Kumaratunga, Ranil Wickremesinghe, Mangala Samaraweera, Champika Ranawaka and Dr Rajitha Senaratne. Within the UNP, he was one of the top three with RW and Sajith. Ousting such a person from cabinet is going to have its consequences. Combined with all of the above, was also the most important fact that he was one of the few accessible Ministers in the yahapalana government.

Continue reading ‘Ravi Karunanayake Ouster is Part of President Sirisena’s Anti-UNP Conspiracy’ »

by Tisaranee Gunasekara

“Fools do not feel disgrace.”
Erasmus (Praise of Folly)

Gajabinna is a Sinhala word for lies of elephantine proportions. A book named Gajabinnalankaraya (roughly translatable as In Praise of Mammoth-lies) did exist, according to the late DF Kariyakarawana. The book was in the form of a dialogue between two fictional characters and referred to a universe of impossibilities – horned-horses, furred-tortoises, wearable clouds and mirages in which one could bathe.

Ravi Karunanayake’s repeated assertions, that he didn’t know who was paying his rent and his family didn’t know about the Central Bank bond scam, can be true only in such a universe of utter impossibilities; or ‘alternative facts,’ as Donald Trump’s Counsellor, Kellyann Conway put it.

Mr. Karunanayake should have resigned days ago; but as in the case of many – perhaps most – politicians, a sense of shame seems to be something alien to him. When he at last did, the Sirisena-Wickremesinghe administration was left with barely a stitch to cover itself. This emperor is not yet as naked as the previous one. Ravi Karunanayake would not have had to resign, had he been Mahinda Rajapaksa’s minister. Nor would he have been summoned before a presidential commission and grilled for hours. So there is a difference, but it is rapidly eroding.

Continue reading ‘Ravi Karunanayake’s Repeated Assertions Bring to Mind the Sinhala Word “Gajabinna”(Lies of Elephantine Proportions)’ »

The Supreme Court (SC) declared this week that advocating for a federal form of government within the existing state could not be considered as advocating separatism and that the Illankai Thamil Arasu Kadchi (ITAK) does not, support, espouse, promote, finance, encourage or advocate the establishment of a separate state within the territory of Sri Lanka as envisaged under Article 157A of the Constitution.

Dismissing the petition filed by H. K. Don Chandrasoma of Kelaniya who sought a Court order declaring that ITAK is a political party which has as one of its “aims” and “objects” the establishment of a separate state within the territory of Sri Lanka, the three-member SC bench said, “ITAK is advocating for a federalist form of government by devolving more powers to the provinces within the framework of a
unitary state,” adding that “advocating for a federal form of government within the existing state could not be considered advocating separatism.”

Continue reading ‘“Advocating Federal Form of Govt within Existing State Is Not Advocating Separatism” Rules Sri Lankan Supreme Court in Landmark Judgement.’ »

By

Winston de Valliere

Ask any man on the street, in a big corporate office, or as I did, ask the guy who prepares tea for the staff to share his thoughts on the current miasmic mess that the government is thrashing around in and you find that there’s an amazing unanimity of opinion. It boils down to a simple statement of fact, to wit, that the continuing deplorable CB Bond Crisis that has done in Ravi Karunanayake is yet to begin exposing the real dirt in that scandal. Victim number one was CB Governor Arjuna Mahendran. Yesterday saw victim number 2, Ravi Karunanayake. More will follow.

All are of the opinion that protestations against this fact made by the ex-Finance and latterly Foreign Minister Ravi Karunanayake are no more than face-saving protestations. One pertinent question they all ask is this: Why resign? To pre-empt what? A collapse of the Government? That’s not even remotely relevant. To pre-empt an internecine split in the UNP-SLFP merger? What was the Government afraid of? Why were there virtual confirmed reports that the President, PM, UNP and SLFP government mounting pressure on Karunanayake to quit, if as he protests, he is guilty of nothing?

Looked at from an abstract angle, one must admit that one fails to see the rationale in an innocent man quitting for the claimed altruistic objective of not harming the Party or the Government. But then, one must ask, how cannot quitting harm the Party or Government?

Continue reading ‘If Karunanayake is Innocent as he Claims to be Then why Did President,PM and Govt Ministers Pressure Him to Resign?’ »

By Jayadeva Uyangoda

As the media predicted last week, alluding to an off-guard comment made by a junior member of the AG’s legal team of the Presidential Commission of Inquiry on the Central Bank Bond scam, a star witness has turned the public discussion on the Central Bank bond scandal into a major political drama.

Ms. Anika Wijesuriya, a young woman entrepreneur from an extraordinarily rich business family in Colombo, has done what the Joint Opposition of ex-president Mahinda Rajapaksa, or Anura Dissanayake’s radical JVP, has failed to achieve in more than two years. In half a day of evidence before the presidential commission comprising Supreme Court judges and a retired Auditor General , she has rocked the very foundations of the current yahapalana regime. She has also changed the terms of the political debate between the government and the opposition. All these unwittingly though.

Continue reading ‘“Star Witness” Anika Wijesuriya has Rocked The Very Foundation of the Current “Yahapalana” Regime.’ »

By

Lucien Rajakarunanayake

Let’s hope the former Minister of Foreign Affairs and Lotteries, Ravi Karunanayake, will not be blissfully ignorant of having ushered in a new culture, with his resignation from office, with all those quotations from the scriptures of different faiths.

And what is this new culture Ravi K has ushered in, as stated by the Prime Minister and his party leader Ranil Wickremesinghe?

Could it be the culture of ministerial resignations?

With 44 ministers in the Cabinet, that is a helluva lot of resignations that could be lined up, to make sure that the new culture really has an impact on society.

Is it possible the Joint Opposition will be ready to keep this new culture alive, by having motions of No Confidence ready, to make other ministers follow the Ravi culture in what is suddenly seen as yahapalana politics?

Or, could it be that this new culture will make the people remember better all those promises made by the Yahapalanaya Team of bringing to book those great corrupt names of the Rajapaksa Regime?

Continue reading ‘What is the “New” Culture Ushered in By Ravi karunayake’s Resignation as Claimed by Ranil Wickremesinghe?’ »

By
Saman Indrajith

UNP yesterday demanded to know why former Central Bank Governor Ajith Nivard Cabraal or his sister Shiromi Wickremasinghe had not been summoned before the Presidential Commission of Inquiry on the bond issues.

UNP MP Prof. Ashu Marasinghe, speaking at the Parliamentary debate yesterday pointed out that the PCoI, would need the help of informed advisors as it had so far failed to summon the most relevant witnesses.

Cabraal’s sister Shiromi Wickremasinghe was a director at Perpetual Treasuries Ltd. The names of former CB Governor Cabraal and his sister had also been implicated in the treasury bonds allegations, Prof. Marasinghe said.

Continue reading ‘UNP wants Ajith Nivard Cabraal, His Sister Shiromi Wickremasinghe and Mahinda Rajapaksa To be Sumoned by Inquiry Commission on treasury Bond Issue’ »

By Shamindra Ferdinando

The Tamil National Alliance (TNA) yesterday declared that it wouldn’t support the 20th Amendment to the Constitution in its present form, under any circumstances, top party spokesperson, Jaffna District MP M.A. Sumanthiran told The Island.

The TNA parliamentary group comprises 16 members, including two National List MPs.

Asked whether the four-party coalition was having discussions with the government regarding the 20th Amendment that would vest in Parliament the powers of dissolved Provincial Council, MP Sumanthiran ruled out any agreement on proposed Amendment as, he said, it didn’t reflect understanding among all political parties represented in parliament.

The proposed controversial 20th Amendment will also enable all Provincial Council elections to be held simultaneously and for Parliament to determine the date of dissolution of all PCs.

Continue reading ‘TNA Wont Support Proposed 20th Constitutional Amendment in Its Present Form States its Spokesman MA Sumanthiran MP’ »

By

Sandasen Marasinghe and Disna Mudalige

UNP backbenchers today questioned as to why former Central Bank Governor Ajith Nivard Cabraal or his sister Shiromi Wickremasinghe were not yet summoned before the Presidential Commission of Inquiry on the bond issue.

UNP MP Professor Ashu Marasinghe speaking at the Parliamentary debate pointed out the PCoI would need the help of informed advisors as it has so far failed to summon the most relevant witnesses.

Cabraal’s sister Shiromi Wickremesinghe was a director at Perpetual Treasuries Ltd. The names of former CB Governor Cabraal and his sister have also been implicated in the treasury bonds allegations.

Continue reading ‘UNP Backbenchers Want Ex- CB Governor Cabraal along with his Sister and Ex-Perpetual Director Shiromi Summoned for Treasury Bond Inquiry’ »

By

Thilanka Kanakarathna

Justice Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe express his own opinion on any subject but it is wrong to make a statement on a subject on which a collective decision was taken by the Cabinet of which he was a member, State Minister Harsha De Silva said today.

Responding to questions asked by a journalist referring to the statement made by the minister on the Hambantota Port earlier this month.

The state minister said it was unethical of the minister to do so.

Continue reading ‘Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe Has Violated Cabinet Collective Responsibility By Criticising Govt Decision on Hambantota Port – Harsha de Silva.’ »

By

Prasanna Sanjeewa Thennakone

Minister of Justice and Buddha Sasana Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe said the sale of Hambantota Harbour – a public asset-to the Chinese was a wrong and assured the public that he would not rest until he regains its ownership on behalf of the people.

In an interview with our sister paper the Sunday Lankadeepa the minister recalled that as a politician he had always done what was right by the country and fought against corruption. As a result he said he had been able to secure government resources worth more than Rs.1,000 billion which included the Sri Lanka Transport Board, Sri Lanka Insurance Company and Litro Gas Company and vest them with the people.

Continue reading ‘Justice Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe Says Hambantota Port Agreement was wrong and Vows to Regain Ownership for the People.’ »

By Saman Indrajith

Foreign Minister Ravi Karunanayake resigned from his post after making a special statement in Parliament yesterday and left his front row seat to become a backbencher.

“The media and some Opposition politicians demand that I be crucified over being probed by a presidential commission of inquiry. I decided to resign to set an example in keeping with the good governance policy we introduced and I do so without regret. I am proud to sacrifice my position. I do so for my party and people whom I always considered above me and my personal gains.”

Karunanayake said: “Allegations have been made against me during the recent past in media and social media. There has been a debate over this issue and some members raised it here in Parliament as well. A no-confidence motion, too, has been submitted against me. Therefore, I need to make an explanation to this House. I have given evidence with regard to this before the Treasury Bond Commission. I have a house in Battaramulla and it was under repair. I needed to find a new place. I do not have an official residence. My family members, too, were looking for a suitable place. They told me that there was a house available at Monarch Residencies and it belonged to Nahil Wijesuriya’s daughter, who is a friend of my daughter. We moved to that house. Nahil Wijesuriya’s daughter did not want to rent the house to a politician. Therefore, my daughter proposed to rent the house to a company belonging to Arjuna Aloysius, who is a school friend of both my daughter and Nahil Wijesuriya’s daughter. The house was rented to that company and later my daughter reimbursed it. As the owner of the house decided to sell it, our family thought of purchasing it. We obtained a loan from the Seylan Bank for that purpose. I tabled the documents pertaining to the loan facility No Seylan Bank REF No WTL/CRD/2016-1535, 29 September 2016.

I joined politics after working with former Minister Lalith Athulathmudali, who, too, was accused wrongly by his opponents. He was described as a person who swallowed ships. I was a successful businessman before I joined politics. During my career I never earned anything through illegal means. I only lost my money because of politics. I never earned anything from politics.


I have no need to acquire a house through illegal means. Many MPs in this House know that I have a house at Battaramulla. Not only those on our side but also those in the opposition have visited that house. They came there to have political discussions, as friends, to eat and drink and enjoy and sometimes to crossover to this side.

Continue reading ‘“I Have No Need To Acquire a House Through Illegal Means” States Ravi Karunayake in Parliament.’ »

By Saman Indrajith

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday said in parliament that the resignation of Foreign Minister Ravi Karunanayake signified a new political culture and he was proud of having ushered it in.

Addressing parliament soon after the resignation of Karunanayake, the Prime Minister said: The Assistant Leader of my party told me that he needed to resign from the ministerial portfolio. I told him to take that decision after discussing it with the President. He met the President on Wednesday. Later he went to meet the President with me and Minister Rajitha Senaratne and handed over his resignation. Some were demanding his resignation this morning, too, but he had already submitted his resignation.

Ravi Karunanayake’s resignation also indicates that the government will not interfere with the probe by the Presidential Commission on treasury bonds. There is no similar example in the political history. This is an unprecedented instance. The incumbent government has realised its good governance goals. We are introducing a new political culture. If anyone in the UNP is accused of stealing we would remove him or her. We will not harbour thieves.

At this point opposition MPs shouted against the PM.

Continue reading ‘Ranil Says There are Sil Redi Thieves,Drug Dealers, Tsunami Thieves, Carrom Board Thieves and Cement Thieves in Joint Opposition.’ »

By

Saman Indrajith

The leader of the Joint Opposition in Parliament and the MEP, Dinesh Gunawardena, lashed out at the Leader of the Opposition, R Sampanthan, after the latter commended MP Karunanayake. “That was a shameless speech!” MP Gunawardana shouted at the leader of the Opposition as the latter was taking his seat after making a statement.

MP Sampanthan praised MP Ravi Karunanayake for resigning from his Ministerial post adding that it was a fundamental right of a person accused of a crime to be presumed innocent till proven guilty.

Continue reading ‘“That was a Shameless Speech” – Dinesh Gunawardena Shouts at Opposition Leader Sampanthan in Parliament.’ »

By

Saman Indrajith

The Leader of the Opposition R. Sampanthan, in Parliament yesterday commended MP Ravi Karunanayake for resigning from his Ministerial post. He added that it was fundamental right of a person accused of a crime to be presumed innocent till proven guilty.

“It is a fundamental right of a person accused of a crime to be presumed innocent until he is proven guilty. I commend MP Karunanayake for the bold step he has taken. He has done so in the interest of good governance and the people”

Continue reading ‘Leader of the Opposition R.Sampanthan Praises Ravi Karunanayake’s Resignation as a “Bold Step in the Interests of Good Governance and the People”.’ »

The Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Ravi Karunanayake resigned on Thursday before facing a No Confident Motion against him submitted by the Joint Opposition Group for his alleged involvement in the 2015 Central Bank bond scam.

Karunanayake made a Special Statement in parliament and then resigned from his post.

In the statement he said that he is innocent but is quitting in the interest of his party (United National Party) and the government led by President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe.

He termed the various allegations against him regarding the bond scam as “baseless” and emphasized that he has absolutely no connection with the incident in question.

Continue reading ‘Ravi Karunanayake Resigns as Foreign Affairs Minister After Making Special Statement in Parliament.’ »

Parliamentarian Ravi Karunanayake who resigned from his ministerial portfolio today questioned why others, against whom allegations had been made, could not resign if he could do so simply because there were allegations against him.

Arriving to his residence at Rajamalwatta after the special statement made in Parliament on his resignation, he said he had resigned with pride from his ministerial portfolio to set a good precedent.

“I have made this sacrifice in order to show the innocent people that they could witness a ‘new dawn’ in future. I am truly grateful for the people who still stand by me even during a difficult phase,” he said.

Continue reading ‘“Why Cant Others Against Whom There Are Allegations Also Resign Like Me” Asks Ex- Minister Ravi Karunanayake’ »

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said in Parliament today (aug 10) that Foreign Affairs Minister Ravi Karunanayake had set a good precedent by resigning from his portfolio.

He said no member of the previous government had resigned no matter how serious the charges levelled against them were.

Continue reading ‘Foreign Affairs Minister Ravi Karunanayake has Set a Good Precedent by Resigning Says Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe’ »

“History and time will decide the position I deserve,” the Minister said, while making a statement in Parliament, on Thursday August 10th.

“From now onwards, I will continue to function as a backbencher.”

“There is a conspiracy to destroy the government. I will not let them destroy the government and the party. I will protect the government to the best of my ability,” he added.

“I sacrifice my position for democracy and good governance. I have always conducted myself in a transparent manner,” Karunanayake added, quoting several religious scriptures.

Continue reading ‘“History and Time Will Decide the Position I Deserve” – Ravi Karunanayake in Special Statement to Parliament’ »

The decision to resign from his position of Foreign Minister of Sri Lanka was made with pride and not with sadness or under pressure, Ravi Karunanayake said in Parliament on Thursday August 10th.

Making a special statement, Karnanayake explained that he had no need to purchase properties illegally and said the various allegations leveled against him were baseless.

Continue reading ‘“I Resign With Pride not Sadness and not Under Pressure ” Declares Ravi Karunanayake in Parliament’ »

The no-confidence motion against former Foreign Affairs Minister Ravi Karunanayake, submitted by MPs of the Joint Opposition (JO), will not be taken up for debate as Karunanayake has resigned, the Speaker informed Parliament a short while ago.

Continue reading ‘Speaker Karu Jayasuriya Informs Parliament that No Confidence Motion Against Ravi Karunanayake Would Not Be Taken Up for Debate.’ »

By Akitha Perera and Upali de Saram

Following a meeting with President Maithripala Sirisena yesterday at the Presidential Secretariat, Foreign Minister Karunanayake is likely to quit his portfolio shortly, according to sources.

A government spokesman said Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, too, had attended the meeting at President Sirisena’s request.

Several SLFP ministers have demanded Karunanayake’s resignation pending the presidential commission of inquiry probe into alleged Central Bank-Perpetual Treasuries bond scams. They have called upon him to quit without facing the Joint Opposition’s no-faith motion.

Continue reading ‘Resignation of Foreign Affairs Minister Ravi Karunanayake Imminent After Meeting with President Sirisena and Prime Minister Wickremesinghe’ »

( Full Text of Statement issued by Former President and Kurunegala District MP Mahinda Rajapaksa on August 9th 2017)

“The government has gazetted the 20th Amendment to the Constitution with a view to postponing elections to the provincial councils. The Sabaragamuwa, North Central and Eastern Provinces were to stand dissolved in a few weeks time, in early October. If passed into law, the 20th Amendment would allow not only the postponement of all PC elections, but also the extension of the terms of all existing PCs up to September 2019 in a direct violation of the franchise and the sovereignty of the people. The proposed postponement of the PC elections comes in the context where the local government elections which were due in March 2015 have also been indefinitely postponed. This is the latest in a long list of outrages against democracy perpetrated by this government which came into power through a conspiracy aided by interested foreign parties on 8 January 2015.

“The dismantling of democracy began on 9 January 2015. The UNP leader who had 44 MPs in parliament was made Prime Minister and the UPFA Prime Minister who had the support of 144 MPs was sacked. The President who contested against the UPFA and SLFP as the candidate of a coalition of political parties including the UNP, TNA, JVP, SLMC and ACMC among others, seized control of the SLFP and UPFA as well after assuming power. The incumbent Chief Justice of the country was sacked from office with just a chit from the President’s office. Even though the 2015 presidential election had been fought on the platform of abolishing the executive presidency, the 19thAmendment to the constitution was a farce perpetrated on the people and the executive presidency still remains as it was.

Continue reading ‘“We Will Petition Supreme Court Against Proposed 20th Constitutional Amendment” States Ex-President Mahinda Rajapaksa’ »

By Chathuri Dissanayake

A Cabinet meeting heated up yesterday when discussing the slow progress made with corruption cases linked to the Rajapaksa administration, with President Maithripala Sirisena firing back at those who called on him to appoint presidential commissions to investigate the charges.

Responding to allegations made by a number of United National Party (UNP) Ministers over the lack of action taken in investigations into corruption cases connected to the previous Government compared to the speedy action meted by the Special Presidential Commission of Inquiry on the Bond Issue, Sirisena told Cabinet that law enforcement bodies tasked with investigating corruption allegations of the previous Government were not under his purview and were beyond his direct control.

“The President told the Ministers that he has done his part in appointing the commission to investigate the bond issue. He highlighted that the different investigative bodies tasked with investigations and subsequent legal action were under UNP ministers not him,” one Senior Cabinet member told Daily FT.

Continue reading ‘“I have Done my Part By Appointing Commission of Inquiry on Treasury Bond Scam” – President Sirisena Tells Cabinet.’ »

With a No Confidence Motion in parliament hanging like the Sword of Damocles over him, Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Ravi Karunannayake on Wednesday met President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, to discuss the widespread demand for his resignation for alleged involvement in the 2015 Central Bank bond scam.

Details of the discussion between the trio were not available, but Karunanayake had skipped the cabinet meeting held prior to the meeting. He also cancelled his scheduled visit to Nepal to attend the BIMSTEC ministerial meeting on Thursday.

On Tuesday, parliament Speaker Karu Jayasuriya said that he had sent the opposition’s No Trust Motion against Karunanayake to the Attorney General to see if it is legally valid, especially since a Presidential Commission is inquiring into the bond scam.

He said he would let the House know of his decision on the No Confidence Motion on Thursday.

Continue reading ‘Ravi Karunanayake Absent From Wednesday Cabinet meeting but Meets President and Premier to Discuss “Resignation” Issue;Cancels Thursday Nepal Visit also.’ »

BY Faizer Shaheid

(The writer is a law tutor and an independent researcher of laws. He holds a postgraduate degree in the field of Human Rights and Democratization from the University of Colombo and an undergraduate degree in Law from the University of Northumbria, United Kingdom)

Over the last few weeks, all eyes have been on Foreign Minister, Ravi Karunanayake and the owner of Perpetual Treasuries Limited, Arjun Aloysius. Sri Lanka may be going through hell, but the citizens are happy to keep going as long as it is a penthouse at The Monarch Residencies that distracts them. It appears the tide has turned against Ravi Karunanayake, and all other politicians who are jumping the gun in order to capitalize politically.

The idea is to push for the resignation of Ravi Karunanayake in the pretext of the Bond scandal so as to save face for all others.

Several statements were made last week at the Presidential Commission of Inquiry (PCoI), regarding the evidence, but a majority of the statements were made with blatant disregard to their own corrupt histories, and it is not too puzzling to figure the motives. There is also complete disregard for the legal maxim, ‘innocent until proven guilty.’

Continue reading ‘Ravi Karunanayake Must Be Presumed to be Innocent Until and Unless Proven Guilty.’ »

By Ajith Alahakoon

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe was directly involved in the Treasury bond scams and he cannot absolve himself of the responsibility for them by scapegoating Foreign Minister Ravi Karunanayake for the biggest ever fraud in the country’s history, a senior JVPer says.

Addressing a press conference at the JVP headquarters in Pelawatte, Its Propaganda Secretary Vijitha Herath said: The Central Bank has been under the Prime Minister. He is the one who appointed Arjuna Mahendran to the post of Governor of the Central Bank. Therefore, he should take the blame for the bond scams. He cannot say his hands are clean. The entire country is aware of his involvement. We demand that he too be sum moned before the presidential commission investigating the Treasury Bond scandals.

The MP said that the law should be implemented against all those involved in the scams. “The position of those who swindled public funds is immaterial here. The five star democracy the Prime Minister is talking of is bunkum if he plans to get away by throwing Minister Karunanayake to the wolves.

Continue reading ‘PM Ranil Was Also Involved in Treasury Bond Scam And Cannot Escape by Making Ravi Karunanayake a Scapegoat Says JVP.’ »

Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena is likely to sack Foreign Affairs Minister Ravi Karunanayake if he does not resign over revelations of seeming impropriety at a Presidential Commission of Inquiry, a government minister hinted Tuesday.

State Minister of Public Enterprise Development Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena said President Sirisena is likely to take a decision on Karunanayake, who was finance minister before a recent cabinet reshuffle, within the next two weeks.

Media reports that President Sirisena had asked Karunanayake to step down, which the latter had rejected, are likely to be true, Abeywardena told a news conference.

Continue reading ‘President Sirisena may Dismiss Ravi Karunanayake if Foreign Minister Does Not Resign Voluntarily.’ »

By Saman Indrajith

Speaker Karu Jaysuriya told Parliament yesterday that the future course of action with regard to the no-faith motion submitted by the Joint Opposition against Foreign Minister would be announced on Thursday.

There were some legal issues pertaining to the motion and its content and the matter had been referred to the Attorney General, the Speaker said in response to queries made by the Opposition.

NFF leader Wimal Weerawansa, raising a point of order demanded to know why the government was delaying the taking up of the no-confidence motion. He asked what prevented the government from taking the motion for debate.

Continue reading ‘No Action on No Faith Motion Against Ravi Karunanayake Till Speaker Karu Jayasuriya Gets Opinion on the Matter From Attorney – General’ »

By

Kelum Bandara

In the face of a no-confidence motion against Foreign Affairs Minister Ravi Karunanayake, the government is reported to be urging him to step down rather than face defeat in a vote.

After the motion was handed over by the joint opposition, government members of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) decided to vote in favour of the motion seeking to unseat the minister while a section of the United National Party (UNP) had also decided not to support him if it came to a vote.

Against this backdrop, government leaders believe that it would be humiliating to the entire government if the minister was unseated through a parliamentary process.

Continue reading ‘Both Maithripala and Ranil Want Ravi Karunanayake to Resign as Minister Instead of Facing Vote of No Confidence in Parliament.’ »

A decision on the future of Foreign Minister Ravi Karunanayake will be taken today, Daily FT learns.

The Party Leaders are scheduled to meet today at 2.00 p.m. in Parliament to decide on the no confidence motion submitted by 32 MPs.

Issues concerning Karunanayake have surfaced it is learnt during a meeting between President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremasinghe yesterday as well.

Continue reading ‘Ravi Karunayake’s Fate is Under Discussion By President and Prime Minister: Decision Affecting Foreign Minister To Be Taken On Tuesday August 8th.’ »

The heat on the United National Party (UNP) will increase this week as the Opposition’s No Faith Motion against Foreign Minister Ravi Karunanayake gathers momentum.

This morning (Aug 8th) House Speaker Karu Jayasuriya will meet Party leaders to decide on a date for the motion filed by the Joint Opposition against Karunanayake to be debated and eventually voted on.
The controversy erupted after it was revealed at the Presidential Commission of Inquiry (PCoI), probing the alleged Bond scam, two weeks ago, that the rent for an expensive penthouse in a luxury apartment block in Colombo was paid for by Arjun Aloysius.

Aloysius is the principal of Perpetual Treasuries, the company involved in the alleged scam.
Meanwhile, high level sources told Ceylon Today, that there is a possibility that two more Cabinet Ministers from the UNP will be summoned before the Commission this week.

Continue reading ‘Cabinet Ministers Malik Samarawickrama and Kabir Hashim Likely to Testify About Ravi Karunanayake Letter Before Inquiry Commission’ »

By

Ranga Jayasuriya

It is conventional wisdom that Minister Ravi Karunanayake should have resigned – or failing that be sacked — after those earth shattering revelations that were made at the Presidential Commission of Inquiry (PCoI) into the bond scam. Instead, he has clung to his portfolio and foul-mouthed the Attorney General’s Department while his political superiors, when not blaming media for holding Karunanayake accountable, seem to be scratching their heads, rather than acting to salvage the government’s credibility.

Allegations levelled against Minister Karunanayake, which he has failed to answer convincingly, are not about some abstract high-flown ethical variety, like the ones that may require him to be judged on stricter grounds than the average folks since he is a politician. (There are countries where the ministers were forced to resign after being accused of paying for an expensive restaurant meal from the official credit card). But, that is not the case here. Minister Karunanayake’s case is clear-cut and simple. The evidence before the commission revealed that Arjun Aloysius, whose family owns the controversial bond trading company Perpetual Treasuries Ltd., had paid the monthly rental for the penthouse occupied by Minister Karunanayake and his family while he was the then Minister of
Finance.

During the same period, Perpetual Treasuries engaged in alleged dodgy bond transactions which resulted in the Treasury losing billions of rupees, according to a COPE report. A Presidential Commission of Inquiry has now revealed many incriminating details of Minister Karunanayake’s alleged collusion with Mr. Aloysius. The Foreign Minister Karunanayake’s answers to the commission were evasive at best and at worse were condescending. At one point, the commission asked him: “Do you seriously want us to believe that your family did not tell you there was no lease agreement?”
Other evidence have now been revealed and he was read text messages extracted from Mr Aloysius’ phone implying a conflict of interest. One such text from Mr. Aloysius’ Executive Secretary refers to a reminder requesting to obtain Monetary Board minutes from one hon MP RK.

Continue reading ‘The UNP is Better Off Without Ravi Karunanayake Is The Emerging Consensus Among Party Stalwarts’ »

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe held a special meeting with Foreign Minister Ravi Karunanayake, on Saturday evening.

Informed government sources said the Prime Minister would soon have a meeting with President Maithripala Sirisena on Minister Karunanayake’s issue.

Continue reading ‘Ranil Wickremesinghe Has “Special” One on One Meeting With Ravi Karunanayake About His Testimony Before Presidential Inquiry Commission.’ »

By

Yohan Perera

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe speaking at a public function in Hatton today said this government would not protect thieves, and would remove them, but stressed that there should be room for a transparent investigation.

“Today there are so many investigations that ministers are brought before the Attorney General and are questioned. Was there a situation as such before? Those days, the Attorney General was an acolyte of the president. The Attorney General who questioned was removed from the department or else taken in a white van. Now there is room to question anyone. This government will not protect thieves. If anyone found committing frauds, we will act according to probe reports. The UNP is not a party of thieves. If there are thieves in the party we will remove them. Allow us to carry out a transparent and public investigation. The media in Sri Lanka don’t have an ethical right to say that such and such things have happened. Why is that? They covered up corruption of the previous government. They all went shopping “kade”. Lankadeepa, Divaina, Ada, Lankadeepa, Dinamina, Silumina all went ‘kade’. Tell me who did not do it.

Lasantha Wickramatunga was trying to reveal corruption but he was killed. What happened to Eknaligoda? He also revealed about corruption and was abducted and killed. What are they (media institutions) saying now? Not to investigate on the killings of journalists now? When we try to conduct investigations on these and frauds they say it is a threat to security. They are attacking us when we conduct investigation on corruption. We got voted in because people wanted good governance. What the professionals, government servants and the average citizens of the country want is just and free society without corruption. If we do not do it we will not get votes next time. Also we do not want the votes of thieves.

Continue reading ‘Govt Will Expel Fraudsters After a Transparent Probe States Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe’ »

BY Kavindya Chris Thomas

UNP strongman, former Finance Minister and incumbent Foreign Minister in the Good Governance Government, Ravi Karunanayake, provided his testimony before the Presidential Commission of Inquiry into the Treasury Bond issues last Wednesday (2). While it might have been an obvious strategic move, most definitely recommended by his high-calibre attorneys, Minister Ravi Karunanayake’s testimony of complete ignorance caught many off guard, as the proverbial rug of ‘Good Governance’ was pulled out from under them.

The former Finance Minister had been publicly accused – according to him due to the influence of the mass media and opposing parties that are hostile to him, which he of course, attempted to lament about during his testimony before the Commission – of being involved in the controversial 2015 Treasury Bond auction of the Central Bank alongside one particular primary dealer known as the Perpetual Treasuries of one Arjun Aloysius- also the son-in-law of the then Central Bank Governor Arjuna Mahendran. However, it was only since last January that did many startling new revelations surfaced regarding the matter during the hearing of the Presidential Commission.

And this week, the tension that was building up from January onwards reached the boiling point when the former Finance Minister (now Foreign Affairs) marked his presence before the Commission to testify.
His testimony was based on two things; one, is the controversial undated letter he had sent to the former Central Bank Governor regarding a certain meeting at the Central Bank and secondly regarding the luxury penthouse that was allegedly purchased for the Karunanayake family, by none other than PTL’s Arjun Aloysius. Karunanayake’s attorneys explicitly mentioned that even though the matter of the letter might be under the Commission’s current mandate, Karunanayake will nonetheless be complying to provide his statement on the matter of the penthouse which has no direct relevance with the Commission’s jurisdiction

Continue reading ‘“There is a Limit to Lying At This Commission,Minister”- Ravi Karunayake Told by Additional Solicitor – General.’ »

By

Kishali Pinto Jayawardene

It is an exceedingly disconsolate reflection that key Cabinet Ministers of the unity alliance, the Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Justice for instance, appear to have a magic cloak around them, affording impunity for acts which should have, to put it bluntly, led to resignations by now.

A favorite chorus that members of this Government love to chant is that there is freedom to criticize now, unlike in dark and dangerous ‘Rajapaksa’ times. However, to what extent is freedom of speech of any value when despite its vigorous exercise and notwithstanding act upon ugly act of undermining the Rule of Law by Cabinet Ministers, no consequences seem to ensue?

Is crudity the measuring rod between then and now?

In contrast, what we had with the Rajapaksas was outright buffoonery and robbery of public funds of a particularly crude kind. But is crudity the measuring rod that we must employ in judging if this Government is better or worse than its predecessor in its ransacking of the public coffers?

Continue reading ‘The Ministers Of Foreign Affairs and Justice Seem to have a “Magic Cloak” of Impunity Around Them’ »

by C.A.Chandraprema

The appearance of Foreign Minister Ravi Karunanayake before the Bond Commission was the talk of the week. No one can fail to notice that there is a major difference in the way Ravi Karunanayake has been treated when compared to how Hirunika Premachandra was treated when it came to her abduction case and Galagodaatte Gnanasara thera was treated recently with regard to the multiple cases against him. Despite the fact that the men who abducted a youth from a shop had no motive to do that except for the instructions given to them by their boss, Hirunika did not have to spend even an hour in police custody. She was granted bail almost immediately. It all depends on the police and the AG’s Dept. if there are no objections to bail, the Magistrate is more often than not obliged to grant that person bail. We saw the same thing happening with regard to Gnanasara thera – he set an all time record by being granted bail three times in three different cases within minutes of one another.

Incidentally, the nexus that has built up between the yahapalana government and the Bodu Bala Sena was revealed last week once again. When Ven.Watareka Vijitha staged a one man protest in front of the presidential secretariat saying that the newly appointed SLFP organizer for Mahiyangana is also the organizer for the BBS for that area and that he has no protection, the BBS had turned up at the spot within minutes and in fact just before they turned up, the police had tried to frighten Ven Vijitha away by saying that the BBS will be there soon.

And sure enough Ven Gnanasara and Ven Magalkande Sudatta theras did turn up at the spot. How is it that the BBS can turn up within minutes of someone beginning a protest at the presidential secretariat unless there was someone in the Presidentail Secretariat to inform them? While it is true that both Hirunika and Galagodatte thera did their part in different ways to usher in this present government, Ravi K also made a major contribution to that cause.

Ravi K was one of the key persons in the UNP who paved the way for Maithripala Sirisena to contest as the common candidate by dissuading party leader Ranil Wickremesinghe from contesting the presidency in 2015 as he had planned to do. It was also through the political party owned by Ravi K – the swan party – (nobody remembers its name) that the common opposition candidates in 2010 and 2015 contested the presidential elections. Ravi K had also dipped into his own pocket to bail out the UNP when it was in opposition. Yet it is clear that he has been chosen to be the fall guy for the rest of the government to be able to save their own skins. First he was shunted out of the finance ministry and made foreign minister so that the yahapalana government could claim that they were removing unsuitable or corrupt persons from office.

Continue reading ‘Was Move to Make Ravi Karunanayake the “Fall Guy” Sanctioned at Highest Levels of Maithri-Ranil Govt?’ »

By

The “Sunday Times” Political Editor

Minister Ravi Karunanayake appeared Wednesday before the Commission probing the bond scam and his testimony plunged a Government, voted to office on the edifice of fighting bribery and corruption, into its worst embarrassment.

During five hours of testimony, he denied any knowledge of how the apartment where he lived at Monarch, adjoining Colombo’s Hotel Cinnamon Grand was acquired on lease for Rs 1.45 million a month. Later it had been purchased for Rs 165 million. The deals had been done by his wife and daughter. He had only learnt that Arjun Aloysius of Perpetual Treasuries had rented it after the matter was raised in Parliament by Mahindananda Aluthgamage, former minister and an MP from the ‘Joint Opposition.’ Had he known earlier, he would have not occupied the apartment, Karunanayake who was the then Finance Minister said. Perpetual Treasuries is at the centre of the inquiry into alleged misappropriation of a colossal amount of money from a Central Bank bond scam under the incumbent Government.

A further insight into the matter can be gleaned from the relevant Q & A before the Commission:

Q: Did your wife visit the premises before you rented it.

A: I was told that she did

Q: She went there alone?

A: I don’t know.

Q: Did she tell you that she met Arjun Aloysius in the premises

A: No

Q: She did not tell you that Mr Aloysius came in and discussed matters with Miss (Anika) Wijesuriya in the presence of your wife.

A: No. All I know is that Miss Wijesuriya was the former girlfriend of Arjun Aloysius.

Q: Miss Wijesuriya said that when your wife visited, she called Mr Aloysius and he visited the place.

A: I don’t know that. I am only privy to what my family has told me.

Q: Are you aware of the existence of the company Walt & Row?

A: No

Q: Do you know that Arjun Aloysius and his father are directors of this company?

A: They are directors of many companies. That’s all I know. I do not know who is owning what.

Q: You did not know that this apartment was leased by Walt & Row from Miss Wijesuriya?

A: No. I need not know.

Continue reading ‘President Sirisena Tells Foreign Affairs Minister Ravi Karunayake That “It was Better for him to Resign his Portfolio”’ »

Foreign Minister Ravi Karunanayake Saturday denied he was under pressure from President Maithripala Sirisena to resign following his testimony before the commission investigating the controversial bond auctions.

Karunanayake said the President had not even spoken to him on the matter since his testimony on Wednesday and there was no question of him being asked to go.

“Rubbish,” he replied when asked if he was stepping down following media reports that the President asked him to resign. “He has not even spoken to me on this issue.”

He said neither the President nor Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe had discussed with him about his evidence nor did they ask him to resign.

“Why should they,” he said. ” I have not done anything wrong.”

Continue reading ‘“Why Should President or Prime Minister Ask me to Resign? I have Done Nothing Wrong” Declares Ravi Karunanayake’ »

By

Yohan Perera

Foreign Minister Ravi Karunanayake yesterday denied reports which said President Maithripala Sirisena had asked him to resign from his post.

“The reports and the rumours that I have been asked to resign from my post is utter nonsense,” he told Daily Mirror on Friday night.

Continue reading ‘“Reports and Rumours That I Have Been Asked To Resign From My Post Are Utter Nonsense” States Ravi Karunanayake’ »

Former Finance Minister and current Foreign Affairs Minister Ravi Karunanayake, testifying before the Commission of Inquiry probing the Central Bank bond scams of 2015 and 2016, said he was totally ignorant of the transaction to lease out an apartment for his family from Arjun Aloysius who is implicated in the scam.

Mr. Karunanayake was questioned about the relationship with the Aloysius family, his foreign visits coinciding with Mr. Aloysius’s travel, the purchase of the Monarch apartment in Kollupitiya and as to how the money was raised for the purchase. Additional Solicitor General Dappula de Livera alleged that Mr. Karunanayake was lying under oath, but the minister denied the charge.

The Commission comprises Supreme Court judges K.T. Chithrasiri, Prasanna Jayawardena and retired Deputy Auditor General K. Velupillai.

Here are some of the questions and answers.

Dappula de Livera (DL): What kind of relationship did you have with Arjun Aloysius?

Minister Karunanayake (RK): Just a normal relationship. If anybody calls or if we associate as friends, we maintain that friendship. Just because we assume duties as a minister, we don’t forsake friends.

DL:What was the business of the company in which your wife and daughter became Directors soon after you assumed duties as a minister?

RK: International logistics. It was specially set up by Marks and Spencer to develop its global network.
Sri Lanka was chosen as the first.

DL: Is Lakshmi Kanthan a foreigner?

RK: He is an Indian, permanently living in Britain.

Justice Jayawardena: He was born in India?

RK: Yes.

DL: Is this Lashmi Kanthan related to the famous Emil Kanthan?

Justice Jayawardena: No, no this is not necessary.

RK: Who is Emil Kanthan?

DL: (interrupting) He was a wanted terrorist.

RK: That’s news to me.

Justice Jayawardena: You don’t read news? I don’t know how you can function as Minister of Foreign Affairs.

Continue reading ‘Ravi Karunanayake Denies Lying Under Oath but says he Cannot Remember Most Things’ »

By

Winston de Valliere

It’s a measure of the man’s temperate nature that he accepted the portfolio of Sports Minister although his academic and political track record would justify him being entrusted with tasks at a higher level in the Cabinet. In the 2010 General Election, he received 132,600 preference votes which was the highest received by any candidate in the Kurunegala District.

On 24 July 2013, he resigned from the UNP and joined the United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA) to contest the Provincial Council Elections. He broke the record of former President Chandrika Kumaratunga of most votes in a Provincial Council Election in Sri Lanka and was elected as the Chief Minister of the province on 21 September 2013. He is the 6th Chief Minister of North Western Province.

And Dayasiri Jayasekera who has switched sides on moral and ethical issues, said last week that he would vote in favour of a No-faith motion against Foreign Minister Ravi Karunanayake. On the other hand we had Health Minister Rajitha Senaratne saying that he hoped the Foreign Minister would come up with plausible responses to statements made by Ms. Anika Wijesuriya relating to the leasing and ultimate sale of what is said to have been her super luxury penthouse to the Karunanayake family. The Minister has now said before the Commission of Inquiry into the Central Bank’s Treasury Bond scandal that he has had absolutely no knowledge of his family’s transaction with Ms. Wijesuriya relating to the penthouse, supposedly using monies jointly owned by him in the family company Global Transportation and Logistics Ltd.

Karunanayake is listed as the Chairman, CEO/Director of the company which is at Liyanagemulla, Seeduwa with assets, the Minister told the Commission on Wednesday, amounting to almost Rs.4.5 billion. To all knowledge, Arjun Aloysius or his family do not have a stake of any nature in this company. Ms. Wijesuriya has allegedly been asked to destroy the documents pertaining to the lease and subsequent purchase of the penthouse. Which she has said she did not do and presented before the Commission.

Continue reading ‘Ravi Karunanayake Was Listed as the Chairman, CEO/Director of Global Transportation and Logistics Ltd. with Assets Amounting to Almost Rs.4.5 Billion’ »

By Chathuri Dissanayake

​Amidst mounting public pressure, Foreign Minister Ravi Karunanayake is set to resign from his ministerial portfolio in the coming days. Following representations made to both President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesighe by both United National Party (UNP) and Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) members, the leaders are said to have advised former Finance Minister Karunanayake to tender his resignation before the No Confidence Motion is taken up in Parliament.

Sources said that the President and the Prime Minister discussed the matter during a dinner held to celebrate the latter’s 40th year in politics.

Continue reading ‘Pressure Mounting On Ravi Karunanayake To Resign As Minister Of Foreign Affairs Before No Confidence Motion Against Him Is Taken Up In Parliament.’ »